Will imports save America?

The United States is currently ranked in the bottom ten nations by export value.  While the US imports tend to be high, it can be criticized as exporting poorly – in this instance tying in rank with Greece.

Most nations report their imports using the cost-insurance-freight (c.i.f.) valuation basis and exports on the free-on-board (f.o.b.) basis.

F.O.B. numbers can vary greatly depending on a nation’s location, size, and proximity to its neighbors. As the dollar declines in value it tends to get more expensive to import foreign goods while exports tend to increase because the cost of US goods drops.