Question

Do imports threaten the jobs of people in the importing country?​

Answer 1

It depends upon what is imported.

If a chocolate making machine is imported, it will create jobs because the importer of the machine will employ people to make chocolates.

If chocolate is imported, it will threaten the jobs of people who are already engaged in making chocolates.

Answer 2

Not necessarily. In many cases it helps the manufacturing base here. For example, the wood used for fingerboard guitar manufacturing here in the U.S. is frequently imported from India. The type of wood is aesthetically pleasing and, I am told, has great sound quality. We import a lot of our aluminum as it isn’t very common here in the States. It makes for a lot of jobs here to have that aluminum imported. So, not necessarily. It could be a very good thing.