Poll: Voters want affordable products, but wary of foreign trade practices

(The Center Square) – American voters want the economic benefits of foreign trade but also support more restrictions on and better scrutiny of bad actors, according to the results of a new poll.

The Center Square Voters' Voice Poll asked voters five questions about trade policy, including whether the U.S. should allow companies violating safety standards or worker rights to sell their products to Americans.

The poll was conducted in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights from July 8-11. It surveyed more than 2,500 registered voters, including 1,073 Republicans, 1221 Democrats, and 241 true (non-leaning) Independents. It has a margin of error of 2.0%. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll is one of only six national tracking polls in the United States.

The questions were asked as Chinese-linked retailers such as Shein and Temu, who sell cheap products directly to U.S. consumers, have come under scrutiny for allegedly employing such practices.

Among 2,535 respondents, nearly 70% support taxed, free trade with foreign countries.

In response to the statement “Cheap foreign goods are wiping out U.S. companies. The government should tax foreign products until the playing field is level,” 69% of voters agreed.

But 66% of voters also agreed that “Free trade with foreign countries is good, it lets Americans buy products for lower prices.”

Nine percent of respondents felt unsure about these statements.

When the poll addressed safety and ethics concerns about foreign production practices, voters at first appeared unified in their opposition.

An overwhelming 82% of voters agreed that “If a foreign company doesn't meet U.S. safety standards, it should NOT be allowed to sell directly to U.S. customers.”

Similarly, 80% agreed that “If a foreign company uses sweatshop labor or other inhumane practices, it should NOT be allowed to sell directly to U.S. customers.”

Yet once the poll statements introduced commercial caveats, voters were divided on whether companies using unsafe or unethical production methods should still be banned from selling in the U.S.

Nearly the same percentage of voters, 44%-43%, agreed or disagreed with the statement “Foreign companies that use sweatshop labor or fail to meet U.S. safety standards should sell to Americans, but with extra taxes and other penalties.” Thirteen percent of voters said they were unsure.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security outlined a strategy to combat illicit textile trade in April.

“We are dedicated to ensuring a fair and level playing field for American businesses,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. “Through strengthened enforcement measures, enhanced inspection and testing, and increased information sharing, this Administration is protecting thousands of American workers and the U.S. textile industry.”