11.   Shares of companies like Sumitomo Coal Mining gain when the dollar rises against the yen because imports become less competitive.

12.   The American trade balance should benefit, too, as imports become less competitive.

13.   The Japanese import has become an overnight sensation while knowing almost no English.

14.   The main effect that economists fear from a falling currency is higher inflation, as imports become more expensive.

15.   When a currency rises in value, imports become cheaper and people tend to buy more from abroad.

16.   After the devaluation, many imports became too expensive to buy and Russians started relying more on domestic goods.

17.   After the ruble devaluation, many imports became prohibitively expensive for Russians.

18.   Because the ruble has lost value against international currencies, imports have become more costly and Russian goods are better able to compete.

19.   Brazilian imports suddenly became cheaper after the country devalued its currency in January throwing off the balance of trade between the two countries.

20.   But luxury imports have become all the rage in recent years among government officials and the new Russian elite.