Stop aged artefacts heading west, hampering balance of payments data (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
trade gap
'balance of payments data' is the definition.
'trade gap' can be an answer for 'balance' (I have seen 'negative balance' mean 'trade gap' so perhaps 'balance' could also mean 'trade gap'). I'm not sure about the 'of payments data' bit.
'stop aged artefacts heading west hampering' is the wordplay.
'hampering' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (hamper can mean to obstruct or curb).
'heading west' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'pagedart' is hidden within 'stop aged artefacts'.
'pagedart' backwards is 'TRADE GAP'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trade gap that I've seen before include "Import-export concern" , "Import value minus export value" , "bit of business information" , "Excess of imports over exports" , "negative balance" .)