> Does the US have a trade imbalance that causes problems, particularly in our manufacturing sector?

I have a trade imbalance with the local grocery store: I buy lots of vegetables, but they don't buy mine.

My employer has a trade imbalance with me: They buy lots of my labor, but I never buy any of theirs.

The term has become unhelpfully pejorative, the "imbalance" is often desirable and beneficial.