How Much Do We Spend on Imports

When U.S. shoppers buy something imported, are they also paying for local inputs? How much of what is ?Made in the U.S.A.? actually is? These questions require accounting for both the U.S. components in the price of imported goods and the use of imported inputs in U.S. production. Estimates show that nearly half of spending on imports stays in the United States, paying for the local components of these goods. Over 10 cents of every dollar U.S. consumers spend reflects the cost of imports at various stages of production.