There would be several reasons that a country decides to import a product that is not being produced locally. All countries need to import some goods and services to satisfy domestic needs or wants which can be produced more inexpensively or efficiently by other countries, and therefore sold at lower prices.
Imports are important for the development and growth of national economies because not all countries have the resources and skills required to produce certain goods and services. Yet no country today, including the United States, can be totally be self-sufficient without suffering a high cost. All countries therefore need to import at least some goods and services for the following reasons:
Goods or services that are either