Every day, consumers, workers, and sports enthusiasts use products made in other countries and then imported to the United States. Imports of consumer goods to the United States reached an all-time high in 2022. The major imports are machinery, vehicles, fuels, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment/supplies and products for personal protection. China has been the largest provider of foreign goods to the United States over the past few years—providing 17% of all U.S. imports. Other countries with significant product imports to the United States include Tawain, Japan, Mexico, Canada and Germany. Certain niche industries in China, South Korea, and Italy have dominated the manufacturing and import to the U.S. market, supplying millions of bicycles, motorcycles and helmets.
Americans’ reliance on and use of products designed, manufactured, and then imported to the United States from overseas creates significant legal issues when a consumer is injured, maimed or killed using one of these products. One very profound legal issue involves the challenge to obtain personal jurisdiction over a foreign manufacturer. We look briefly at this issue.
