2019-07-08 IELTS 19 进口产品

In some countries, it is now possible for people to buy products made in other countries. To what  extent do the benefits of this development outweigh the problems?

affordable, cheap便宜

at an astounding rate以惊人的速度

dominance, monopoly 统治地位

shortfall=shortage 短缺

downside 负面

As the world is increasingly globalized, the exchange of commodities across the border os proceeding at an astounding rate. From my point of view, this development can help improve living standards of consumers.

The products from foreign countries are competitively priced and offer good value  for consumers. The main reason is that the countries that export these goods normally have technology and know-how to reduce the cost of production to ensure that these products are affordable . For example, China specialises in  the production of textile products so China-made textile products are cheaper than local counterparts in many parts of the world.

Another benefit is that imported goods have challenged domestic manufacturers' dominance and intensified competition, thereby pushing these producers to cut prices. It is beneficial to domestic customers, because they can spend less on some products essential to their lives such as food and the cost of living will decline.

It is also worth noting that consumers can have diverse options when shopping and products from other countries can address some of their needs. For example, food products imported from exotic locations can alleviate the food shortage caused by abnormal weather in some regions.

The downside of importing goods is that foreign brands may steal the market share from local companies and lead to the underdevelopment of some domestic industries. For instance, many countries import computers, resulting in domestic manufacturers' bankruptcy. This is harmful to the development of a self-contained economy.

It is therefore reasonable to think that the overall effect of importing products from other countries is positive. Consumers can buy something at a lower cost, although some local firms may be shut down.