Research by economists Bloom, Draca, and Van Reenen revealed that imports from China were associated with not only lower consumer goods prices, but also a cost of inputs for domestic firms, a(n) in the variety of products those domestic firms sold, and a(n) in U. S. productivity.

Chinese imports were associated with not only lower consumer goods prices but also low input cost, an increase in cost of goods sold by domestic firms and increase in US productivity.

Hence the report by economists mentioned above mentions that                 China's approach towards import was hugely associated with lower cost of consumer goods along with increase in cost of goods sold by domestic firms and increase in US productivity.

To know more about Chinese import policies, please refer to the link below  

link

Explanation:

Research by economists Bloom, Draca, and Van Reenen revealed that imports from China were associated with not only lower consumer goods prices, but that they also lower cost of inputs for domestic firms, a(n) increase in the variety of products those domestic firms sold, and a(n) rise in U.S. productivity.

metallurgy is your answer

the "study of metals and the process of refining ("

note that it says metal. metallurgy has the word "metal" in it, and so is most likely your answer (and is your answer).

~

i would say their habit of breaking down.