Question

why do nations engage in international trade?
to export goods and services that they need
to export goods that cannot be made within the country
to import needed goods and services
to import goods that can be sold for profit

Explanation:

Nations engage in international trade to access goods and services they need but may not produce efficiently or at all domestically. Importing needed goods/services (third option) aligns with the core reason: to get items not sufficiently available or producible internally. Exporting goods they need (first) is illogical. Exporting unproducible goods (second) is incorrect as they can't produce those to export. Importing for profit (fourth) is not the primary reason for international trade; the main driver is meeting domestic needs for goods/services not adequately supplied domestically.

Answer:

To import needed goods and services