2010-11-08-皮尤-Public_Support_for_Increased_Trade,_Except_With_South_Korea_and_China_15页_148kb

Summary of Public Opinion on Free Trade Agreements (Pew Research Center, 2010)

Overall, few Americans support free trade agreements (FTAs). In November 2010, only 35% believed FTAs like NAFTA and WTO policies were good for the U.S., down from 43% in 2009. Most (44%) viewed them negatively, linking this decline to economic concerns and perceived negative effects on jobs, wages, and growth.

Key findings:

1. Public Skepticism: Roughly a third (35%) saw benefits from FTAs, while 44% opposed them.

2. Partisan Divide:

   • Republicans (35%) were more skeptical, with Tea Party-aligned Republicans particularly hostile.
   • Democrats (40%) were slightly more supportive, but enthusiasm waned with age and education. Younger voters (under 30) and college graduates favored increased trade with China (56%), while older voters (65+) were more opposed (52%).

3. Economic Concerns:

   • 55% believed FTAs lead to job losses, and 45% thought they lower wages, while 31% viewed them as reducing prices, a less-negative perspective.

4. Personal Impact: 46% said FTAs negatively affected their finances, with minimal positive/negative splits across income and education levels.

5. Group Differences:

   • Tea Party supporters (especially GOP-aligned) viewed FTAs most negatively.
   • Democrats and independents saw less change compared to 2009.
   • Age gaps were evident: youth favored trade, but older populations opposed it on job/wage grounds.

Source: Based on a November 2010 Pew Research Center poll.