| J-curve | The dynamic path followed by the balance of trade in response to a devaluation, which typically causes the trade balance to worsen before it improves, tracing a path that looks like a letter "J". |
| Jobless rate | Same as unemployment rate. |
| Jobless recovery | After a recession, an expansion of real GDP that is not accompanied by a significant expansion of employment. This is possible, for example, if labor productivity expands. |
| Jobs argument for protection | Employment argument for protection. |
| Joint venture | An undertaking by two parties for a specific purpose and duration, taking any of several legal forms. Two corporations, for example, perhaps from two different countries, may undertake to provide a product or service that is distinct, in kind or location, from what the companies do on their own. |
| Jones Act | A U.S. law that prohibits foreign ships from transporting goods or people between one U.S. location and another. Such a restriction on cabotage is an example of a barrier to trade in a service. |
| Jones' hat algebra | See hat algebra. |
| Jubilee 2000 | A movement advocating the cancellation of debts that burden developing countries, intended to occur in the year 2000. |
| Juridical person | An entity other than a natural person, such as a partnership or a corporation, that is given some of the same rights as persons under the law. |
| JV | Joint venture |