Crossword Genius

Copy from Italy... China imports it (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

imitate

'copy' is the definition.
('imitate' can be a synonym of 'copy')

'italy china imports it' is the wordplay.
'italy' becomes 'i'.
'china' becomes 'mate' ('China plate' is rhyming slang for 'mate').
'imports' is an insertion indicator.
'mate' enclosing 'it' is 'mitate'.
'i'+'mitate'='IMITATE'

'from' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for imitate that I've seen before include "Copy, simulate" , "Copy someone" , "Copy (mannerisms)" , "I tame it (anag)" , "I tame it to copy it" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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