In some cases, yes. It would depend on the product
Trade between countries has been happening since humans learned how to travel between countries. Goods native to one country were welcomed into other countries that didn't have those goods/ (Silk, coffee, sugar, tobacco, spices)
It just doesn't make sense to trade equal products; your beef for our beef, your tomatoes for our tomatoes, your furniture for our furniture.
Trade for equal products makes the financial figures look good and enriches the importers/exporters. But it doesn't do a thing for the ordinary person and in fact hurts because it kills industries.
Canada has the most fertile growing soil in the world yet our fruits and vegetables are imported. Chickens from China? What's the need for that? Beef from Argentina? What need?
In travelling to the U.S. I have seen Canadian potatoes there selling for less that we pay here. What's that about?
Trade deals are badly in need of renegotiating.
I'm not sure what the law is in the U.S. but the way I heard it (in Canada) tax AVOIDANCE is a skill, tax evasion is a crime. Perhaps someone wiser than I can bring me up to date
I'm no tax expert either but my husband, as a businessman always had his taxes done by a professional. As I understood it, the thing is to claim every deduction and exemption allowed under the law. There are a lot of exemptions and deductions legally allowed that the average citizen is not aware of so it is important, if one's income is large to have a competent accountant who understands tax law.
There isn't much a private individual with only one source of income from salary can do to save on taxes short of outright cheating and that's risky and likely to be discovered.
I think there are many tax loopholes that are legal and yet should NOT be allowed to those in the upper income class. Those who take advantage of such loopholes are not to blame; the law makers who made it possible are the culprits.