# What are tariffs, and how do they work?

- Institution: TED
- Department: TED-Ed
- Speaker: TED-Ed
- Year: 2026
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Biology, Economics, Society and politics, History, Teaching and learning
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/ted_ed_what_are_tariffs_and_how_do_they_work)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

In 1930, in hopes of supporting farms and manufacturing, President Hoover made a bold decision: he approved a sweeping 20% tax on all imported agricultural and industrial goods. But the plan completely backfired, leading exports to fall and global trade to decline. And it wouldn't be the last time a world leader was shocked by a tariff’s consequences. Trace the economic chain reaction of tariffs. \[Directed by Avi Ofer, narrated by Bethany Cutmore-Scott, music by Stephen LaRosa, Wonder Boy Audio\].

## Lectures

1. [What are tariffs, and how do they work?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/ted_ed_what_are_tariffs_and_how_do_they_work/4ba4805d7989), 6 min (TED's player)