Are US imports really hurting US households?: an analysis of the relationship between US households' consumption and US imports

摘要

This paper seeks evidence of the relationship between US households' consumption and imports, notably imports from China. Using MSA-level data from the consumer expenditure survey from 1986 to 2007, we find that in general imports, and especially those from China, arc positively related with households' consumption. A one-percentage point increase in the size of imports relative to GDP increases consumption (total and non-durable goods consumption) by 2%. This positive relationship is stronger for imports from China.