US Blood Product Exports: Unraveling the Numbers

An Economist article claiming US blood product exports account for 2% of total exports sparked online debate. The author delves into US Trade Commission data, revealing inaccuracies. By meticulously analyzing different blood product categories under Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) codes, the author finds that exports directly using human blood comprise roughly 0.53%, while those indirectly using human blood (e.g., vaccines, cell therapies) account for approximately 0.16%, totaling around 0.69%. This process highlights the challenges of data retrieval and underscores the need for transparent data.