International trade involves imports and exports between countries. Imports are goods and services that a country buys from other countries, while exports are goods and services that a country sells to other countries. The balance of trade is the difference between the monetary value of a country's imports and exports. If exports exceed imports, there is a trade surplus or profit. If imports exceed exports, there is a trade deficit or debt. Profits can be invested in new industries and services, while debts reduce investments. Poorer countries tend to only export raw materials and import manufactured goods, earning less from trade than richer countries.