what is the role of export and import as to production of american goods?

Answer 1

If we produce goods, then we either use them or export them.

If we import a lot, then we don't produce as much, unless they are subcomponents.

Answer 2

Fairly unimportant. There are a few products that the U.S. does not produce in meaningful quantities (coffee and bananas are examples), but other than that, U.S. exports and imports are not that large. Since 2000, U.S. exports averaged at about 10% of GDP, imports, at 15%. Compare that to, say, the Netherlands, where both export and import tend to be equivalent to 70-75% of GDP...

Answer 3

If we import goods we may be sacrificing American production. If we buy mostly foreign cars then American don't buy their own homeland cars and these industries suffer loss of profits and jobs. We need to be a stronger exporter to keep jobs moving in America. I believe in free trade and often other countries have barriers which make it difficult for us to sell our stuff to them.