The difference between imports and exports (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
trade gap
'imports and exports' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'the difference' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
'difference' could be 'gap' (gap is a kind of difference) and 'gap' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'rade' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'between' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trade gap that I've seen before include "Unfavourable import-export balance" , "negative balance" , "bit of business information" , "That by which imports outvalue exports" , "Economic deficit" .)