Final answer:
A country's net exports contribute a negative figure to its GDP calculations when imports exceed exports, resulting in a trade deficit.
Step-by-step explanation:
A country's net exports are a minus figure in GDP calculations whenever its imports exceed its exports. In other terms, this scenario describes a country experiencing a trade deficit. When imports, which detract from a country's current account, grow faster than exports, the negative figure within the net exports component of GDP intensifies. For example, since the early 1980s, the United States has typically seen its imports outpace its exports, leading to significant trade deficits, particularly in the late 1990s and mid-2000s. If the trade balance shifts toward a surplus, the net exports figure would be positive, adding to the GDP, highlighting the dynamic nature of the global economy and its impact on national economic health.