Polling News

The Trade Divide

April 26, 2018

Americans are split, 48%-48%, on the “tariff – a tax – on steel and aluminum that is imported to U.S. from other countries”, that President Donald Trump announced last month, according to a SurveyMonkey poll published by the New York Times.  Not surprisingly, 78% of Republicans, 42% of Independents, and 23% of Democrats support these tariffs, while 20%, 55%, and 74%, respectively, are opposed.  Those with a high school education or less (53%) favor these tariffs, while those with some college generally support (52%) them.  Only 41% of college-educated Americans back them.

The general sentiment about this specific tariff, however, does not mean there is overwhelming opposition to free trade.  Only 35% of Americans believe “free-trade agreements between the U.S. and other countries” hurt the U.S. economy and 60% believe they help.  Democrats and Independents believe in free trade (73%-24% and 58%-39%, respectively), but Republicans are split.  Forty-five percent of Republicans believe free-trade will hurt the U.S. economy while 51% believe it will help. 

How will this play in the 2018 Midterms?  Republicans will need to strike a balance, especially in Midwestern states with key Senate and Gubernatorial races like Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.  While Americans may be concerned that some trade agreements are unfair to American workers, that concern does not translate into abandoning free trade.

Related PollingNews

Placeholder polling news
September 11, 2025 |
Polling News
The latest CBS News/YouGov poll found that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are still in bumpy political terrain. Only his hard core base supports them. ...
Placeholder polling news
September 04, 2025 |
Polling News
A recent Pew Research Center poll found that aside from the National Park Service, National Weather Service, and USPS, Americans are divided on trust in federal institutions, split along partisan lines on most departments, particularly when it comes to IC...
Placeholder polling news
August 28, 2025 |
Polling News
Tuesday, Iowa Democrats flipped a State Senate Seat that Donald Trump carried by eleven points last November, breaking the GOP State Senate Supermajority. ...
Placeholder polling news
August 21, 2025 |
Polling News
It’s no secret that the Democratic Party is going through an identity crisis, but a New York Times analysis found that the party’s malaise has translated into tangible effects.  ...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance