Recently, there has been considerable anecdotal evidence that First Solar is no longer competitive with Chinese imports.

FORBES: China Almost Kills Premier U.S. Solar Company

Finally, take note of the high price -- and wonder why such a car should be protected from the competitive threat posed by properly built imports.

CNN: Open the Gates

Small economies need trade to specialise, but the pressure of selling into a big domestic market helps companies in large economies remain competitive even without a lot of competition from imports.

ECONOMIST: BRICs, emerging markets and the world economy

"Failure to provide facilities for the new container ships would mean the world's most efficient ships could not dock in the UK, driving up the cost of imports and making UK exports less competitive, " said David Gledhill, chief executive of Hutchison Ports UK, which owns the port.

BBC: Felixstowe opens new berths for giant container ships

Rather than try to make the economy more competitive, Argentina's government is insisting on a provision for safeguards against spikes in imports.

ECONOMIST: A trade group becomes an energy club

Higher imports are a manifestation that another country has the ability to produce goods we desire at a competitive advantage, i.e. a lower cost.

FORBES: Here's Why The U.S. Economy Is A Lot Stronger Than Numbers Suggest