importaisso

Importaisso is a neologism used in discussions of international trade and supply chain management to describe a strategy or condition in which imported inputs are deeply embedded in domestic production processes. The term is often invoked to emphasize the central role of imports in productivity, industrial scale, and resilience, while sparking discussion about associated risks and policy options.

Etymology and origins: The word appears in policy blogs, think-tank briefings, and some academic articles from the early 2020s onward. It combines the English word import with a suffix reminiscent of the Italian -issimo, signaling a high or intensified focus on imported inputs. It is not part of formal economic nomenclature and lacks a universally agreed definition.

Definition and scope: Importaisso broadly covers practices such as relying on foreign components across multiple stages of production, diversifying import sources to mitigate single-supplier risk, and integrating imports into just-in-time manufacturing and global value chains. It is used to describe both planned reliance on imports as a production strategy and emergent patterns in global production networks driven by cost, technology, and policy changes.

Implications and debates: Proponents argue that strategic imports can lower costs, enable rapid scaling, and improve access to advanced inputs. Critics warn that heavy import dependence raises exposure to currency swings, tariffs, supply disruptions, and environmental concerns from long-distance shipping. Policy responses discussed in the literature include supply chain mapping, stockpiling, diversification of suppliers, regional trade agreements, and resilience-focused metrics.

See also: import substitution industrialization, global value chain, supply chain resilience, trade policy.