Final answer:
One major component of GDP that can be negative is net exports, which reflect the trade balance between a country's exports and imports.
Step-by-step explanation:
One major component of GDP that can be negative is net exports. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) consists of four main components: consumer spending (consumption), business spending (investment), government spending on goods and services, and spending on net exports. Net exports represent the difference between a country's exports and imports. A country can have a trade surplus if exports exceed imports or, conversely, a trade deficit if imports exceed exports. In the case of a trade deficit, this component will be negative, as it indicates that more goods and services are leaving the economy than coming in.
Based on the provided information, consumption is a significant part of GDP and has been on a slight upward trend. Business investment accounts for around 15% and has more fluctuation. Meanwhile, government spending is under 20% and has shown a modest decline. However, net exports can sway positively or negatively, contributing to either a surplus or a deficit in international trade, reflecting on the GDP as such.