Foreign Policy Matters: Talking Trade

Americans See Benefits of Trade—and Industrial Policy

As both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump lay out their plans for the US economy, trade policy will be one area of scrutiny. Where do potential voters stand?  

Recent Council polling finds most Americans believe international trade is good for the economy (75%), consumers (81%), and their own standard of living (81%). At the same time, however, the public also supports some limits. Two-thirds say Washington should place restrictions on imported foreign goods to protect US jobs (66%)—even if that means consumers might pay higher prices domestically. 

“Trade is always about trade-offs,” economist Diane Swonk told a Council audience last week. “Reshoring, nearshoring, all of that’s less efficient than just globalization. There are reasons for that, both security and human rights violations, that we want to deal with. That said, it’s going to be more inflationary moving forward.”  

The Data Dimension

Although the public agrees on many benefits of international trade, it is divided over the best policy approach. Just over half of Republicans (55%) say Washington should seek greater economic self-sufficiency and reduce trade with other nations, while a plurality of Democrats (43%) prefer to pursue global free trade.

What We're Watching

• Russia-Ukraine war ramifications: Council data show most Americans believe a Russian victory in the conflict will likely have a negative impact on Western security (63% European, 52% US) and prompt a military confrontation between Russia and NATO (70%). 
• Conditioning US aid to Israel: Just over half of Americans (53%) think the United States should restrict its aid to Israel so it cannot use the aid in military operations against Palestinians, Council polling finds.   
• Washington’s global role: Fewer than six in 10 Americans (56%) think the United States should play an active role in world affairs—one of the lowest levels recorded since the Council first asked the question in 1974. 
• The border at the ballot box: Join the Council for a conversation on how immigration is shaping elections around the world this year, including the US presidential race. 

Ask an Expert

How can the United States strengthen its democracy moving forward?

​​​​​"A Senate majority should begin by reforming the filibuster, which allows a minority to effectively veto virtually all legislation. Congress should increase the size of the House, which hasn’t changed for more than a century, even as the population has tripled. This would help make the Electoral College more representative, among other benefits. Congress should also end gerrymandering, guarantee uniform ballot access, promote election security, and require transparency of big money in politics. And it should reform the Supreme Court by adopting term limits and giving every president an equal number of justices to appoint each term.” 

—Council CEO Ivo Daalder in The Atlantic