Finding Data - ECON 28000: SEM: Tariffs and Trade - Aker - Hiram College Library at Hiram College

Trade and Tariff Data

Use these sources to find tariff rates, trade data, and economic context for your research project.

New York Times
Use it to track recent news on tariffs, trade policy, and U.S. import/export issues.
Tip: Search for your product, country, and tariff (e.g., China steel tariffs).
Filter by date for specific year/months. Check these sections: Business, World, Economy.

FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data)
U.S. Federal Reserve database with economic indicators and time series data (prices, quantities, GDP, inflation, etc.).
Provides context for your tariff project, such as trends in prices or broader economic conditions that may affect trade and demand.
Watch Tutorials ▶️
U.S. Census Foreign Trade Data - USA Trade Online
Official U.S. government database showing import/export quantities and values by product (HS code) and country.
Helps you see how much of a product is traded before and after a tariff — perfect for constructing demand curves and analyzing trade volume changes.
Watch Tutorial ▶️

HS Codes (Harmonized System Codes)

HS codes are numbers that classify products for international trade. Tariffs are applied by HS code, so using the correct code ensures you get the right import/export data.

HTS Search

To look up current tariff rates by product name or code

Type your product name (e.g., steel pipe, aluminum can, toys).
Review the results — each entry shows a tariff rate (in % or ¢/unit).
Note the tariff rate, unit, and HS code number — you’ll need these for your analysis.

Example:
Searching “steel pipe” shows a 25% duty listed under Section 232 tariffs — this is the extra tariff imposed for national security reasons.

💡 Note: HTS Search shows current tariff rates only. For earlier rates, look for news articles about tariff changes in your chosen industry (e.g., in the New York Times).

More Options

IBISWorld
Quick industry insights and market trends. Tip: Read the "Executive Summary" but skip detailed financial tables unless you want extra depth.

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC DataWeb)
Create a free account first.
Official U.S. government database providing tariff rates by product (HS code) and country.
Recommended for deeper policy analysis.

OneSearch

The one place to search the Hiram College Library.

Advanced Search | Journal Title Search | A-Z Database List

How to Use FRED

Full Playlist - Learn to find, graph, and download economic data.

ECON 28000: SEM: Tariffs and Trade - Aker: Finding Data