Poll Shows US Liberals Shifting Views on Free Trade
The number of left-leaning Americans supporting unrestricted exports and imports has increased by 20%, according to a survey. Support for free trade among American liberals has more than doubled since Donald Trump was re-elected as US president...
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The number of left-leaning Americans supporting unrestricted exports and imports has increased by 20%, according to a survey.
Support for free trade among American liberals has more than doubled since Donald Trump was re-elected as US president in November, a study indicates.
During his election campaign, Trump accused America's trade partners of exploiting the country and promised to implement severe tariffs on them. On April 2, he followed through on his threat by announcing new “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly 90 countries, claiming that it would increase revenue and create jobs in the US.
Following a sharp decline in global markets, the president placed most of the tariffs on hold for 90 days, lowering them to a baseline rate of 10%. However, this pause does not apply to China, which now faces tariffs of up to 145% on its exports to the US amid a continuing trade conflict.
A poll conducted by the Polarization Research Lab, first published by the Financial Times and widely circulated on social media, suggested that “American attitudes towards free trade have rapidly polarized” in recent months.
By early 2024, approximately 20% of both liberals and conservatives supported unrestricted exports and imports, the study found.
However, the gap between the two groups, which emerged during the lead-up to the election, has widened significantly since Trump's victory, the study noted.
According to the poll, over 40% of surveyed leftists now express “strong approval” for free trade.
The Democrats, typically supported by liberals, had previously denounced Trump's tariff policies as “dangerous” and a “corrupt scheme to enrich administration officials and those loyal to them.”
Conversely, the proportion of conservatives backing free trade has decreased, although not as sharply; the study found that around 13% still favor it.
Some online commentators noted that the poll results imply that supporters of both parties often align with their party's stance on issues without critically examining them.
“Negative partisanship is a helluva drug,” wrote John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter at the Financial Times, on X, reflecting on the survey's findings.
Sean Westwood, director of the Polarization Research Lab, contested this view, asserting that “this is not an irrational flip by Liberals in response to Conservatives - Liberals are witnessing a stock market crash and an economic retraction. It could very well be reasoned.”
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Support for free trade among American liberals has more than doubled since Donald Trump was re-elected as US president in November, a study indicates.
During his election campaign, Trump accused America's trade partners of exploiting the country and promised to implement severe tariffs on them. On April 2, he followed through on his threat by announcing new “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly 90 countries, claiming that it would increase revenue and create jobs in the US.
Following a sharp decline in global markets, the president placed most of the tariffs on hold for 90 days, lowering them to a baseline rate of 10%. However, this pause does not apply to China, which now faces tariffs of up to 145% on its exports to the US amid a continuing trade conflict.
A poll conducted by the Polarization Research Lab, first published by the Financial Times and widely circulated on social media, suggested that “American attitudes towards free trade have rapidly polarized” in recent months.
By early 2024, approximately 20% of both liberals and conservatives supported unrestricted exports and imports, the study found.
However, the gap between the two groups, which emerged during the lead-up to the election, has widened significantly since Trump's victory, the study noted.
According to the poll, over 40% of surveyed leftists now express “strong approval” for free trade.
The Democrats, typically supported by liberals, had previously denounced Trump's tariff policies as “dangerous” and a “corrupt scheme to enrich administration officials and those loyal to them.”
Conversely, the proportion of conservatives backing free trade has decreased, although not as sharply; the study found that around 13% still favor it.
Some online commentators noted that the poll results imply that supporters of both parties often align with their party's stance on issues without critically examining them.
“Negative partisanship is a helluva drug,” wrote John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter at the Financial Times, on X, reflecting on the survey's findings.
Sean Westwood, director of the Polarization Research Lab, contested this view, asserting that “this is not an irrational flip by Liberals in response to Conservatives - Liberals are witnessing a stock market crash and an economic retraction. It could very well be reasoned.”
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
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