Fact Check: "The U.S. Census Bureau tracks trade data"
What We Know
The U.S. Census Bureau is indeed responsible for tracking trade data in the United States. According to the International Trade Landing Page, the Census Bureau serves as the official source for U.S. export and import statistics. This includes the issuance of regulations governing the reporting of all export shipments from the United States. The Census Bureau's Foreign Trade program is specifically noted as the source of all U.S. trade data, releasing the most up-to-date statistics on a monthly basis (State Trade Data - Foreign Trade).
Additionally, the Census Bureau provides access to trade data through tools like USA Trade Online, which allows users to create custom reports and download data (International Trade Data Main Page). This indicates that the Bureau not only tracks trade data but also makes it accessible for public use.
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. Census Bureau tracks trade data is supported by multiple credible sources directly from the Census Bureau itself. The International Trade Data Main Page and the International Trade Landing Page both affirm the Bureau's role in collecting and disseminating trade statistics. Furthermore, the State Trade Data - Foreign Trade source explicitly states that the Census Bureau's Foreign Trade program is the authoritative source for U.S. trade data.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they originate from the official U.S. government website, which is known for providing accurate and up-to-date information. There is no indication of bias in these sources, as they are factual reports and data releases from a government agency tasked with this responsibility.
Conclusion
The verdict is True. The U.S. Census Bureau does track trade data, as evidenced by its official role in collecting and reporting U.S. export and import statistics. The Bureau's commitment to transparency and accessibility of trade data further supports this claim.
