Majority of Likely Voters: Create U.S. Jobs Through Tariffs, Not Free Trade
This analysis represents the findings of a national survey of 1,200 likely 2018 general election voters from Aug. 28
through Sept. 9, 2018.
Survey interviews were conducted on both landlines and cellphones, using a registration-based sample. The margin of error for is +/-2.8 percent at the 95 percent level of confidence and is higher for subgroups.
==Our poll conducted heading into the final stretch of the 2018 elections shows broad support for congressional action on American manufacturing to create jobs and improve the economy. Even in this partisan atmosphere,
large majorities in both parties and across demographics see specifics of an American manufacturing agenda as top priorities, including: career and technical training (80 percent important);rebuilding infrastructure (76 percent);and strong Buy America provisions to require taxpayer-funded projects use American-made products and materials (63 percent).==
There is also broad support for getting tough on unfair trade, particularly with China,
as detailed in our earlier Sept. 20, 2018, memo, which showed that while not everyone supports tariffs on China,
nearly two thirds (63 percent) feel we should at least give them more time to work.
While voters in both parties support these policies, they see neither party in Congress doing much for
manufacturing. Though 44 percent say they have heard a great deal about President Trump working to protect
or create manufacturing jobs, only 20 percent say the same for Congressional Republicans and 19 percent for
Democrats. Despite neither party having an edge on American manufacturing in the eye of likely voters, there is
broad bipartisan support for the next Congress to take specific action to protect and create manufacturing jobs.
Manufacturing Is Seen As a Critical Part of the American Economy That Cannot Be Replaced
Voters see manufacturing as a critical and irreplaceable component of national economic strength. Asked
to choose between two statements, a 57 percent majority agreed that “manufacturing is a critical part of the
American economy and we need a manufacturing base here if this country and our children are to thrive in the
future” over the idea that “the strength of the American economy is innovation – if manufacturing leaves, we will
move into new areas like high-tech or services, which will take its place in the future” (37 percent). In fact, 50
percent felt strongly about the “critical” role of manufacturing.
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