noun
one-sided trade; unbalanced trade
Refers to trade where imports and exports are not in balance, often implying a large surplus or deficit on one side.
片貿易が続くと、経済摩擦の原因になる。
If one-sided trade continues, it can cause economic friction.
貿易収支 is the trade balance itself (surplus or deficit), while 片貿易 describes the state of being one-sided or unbalanced.
Compound of 片 (かた, 'one side') and 貿易 (ぼうえき, 'trade'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term transparently describes unbalanced trade.