Is Trade Skepticism on the Rise?
Perhaps, but it has a long history, as shown by this AEI paper that looks at public responses to trade-related polling over time. Here's one illustration:
Do you think it should be the policy of the United States to restrict foreign imports into this country in order to protect American industry and American jobs, or do you think there should be no restrictions on the sale of foreign products in the United States in order to permit the widest choice and the lowest prices for the American consumer? | ||||
Restrict |
No |
|||
Imports |
Restrictions |
|||
To protect |
On sale |
|||
American Industry |
Of foreign |
Not Sure | ||
And Jobs |
Products |
(Vol.)/Refused | ||
Jul. 4-8, 1982 |
LAT |
72 |
22 |
6 |
May 8-12, 1983 |
LAT |
68 |
26 |
6 |
Feb. 4-9, 1984 |
LAT |
67 |
26 |
7 |
Apr. 28-May 3, 1984* |
LAT |
65 |
25 |
10 |
Sep. 21-26, 1985 |
LAT |
65 |
27 |
8 |
Oct. 28-Nov. 2, 1987 |
LAT |
69 |
21 |
10 |
Jul. 5-10, 1988 |
LAT |
72 |
21 |
7 |
Sep. 23-25, 1988+ |
LAT |
71 |
19 |
10 |
Sep. 25-26, 1988^ |
LAT |
66 |
26 |
8 |
Sep. 29, 1988^ |
LAT |
68 |
21 |
11 |
Oct. 11-13, 1988# |
LAT |
71 |
21 |
8 |
Oct. 13-15, 1988% |
LAT |
73 |
18 |
9 |
Jan. 8-12, 1991 |
LAT |
67 |
25 |
8 |
Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 1992 |
LAT |
70 |
23 |
7 |
Jun. 12-14, 1993 |
LAT |
68 |
24 |
8 |
Aug. 3-6, 1996 |
LAT |
63 |
28 |
9 |
Sep. 6-9, 1997 |
LAT |
67 |
24 |
9 |
More historical data, with a number of variations of the question, in the paper.