Poll: Majority Say Trade War With China Bad for Economy

A majority of American voters believe a trade war with China would be bad for the U.S. economy, a new Quinnipiac University National poll reveals.

The poll of 1,181 voters conducted from April 6-9, found:

• American voters, by a margin of 68 to 22 percent say a trade war would be bad.
• Every party, gender, education, age and racial group says a trade war is not wanted.
• American voters are divided on raising tariffs on products imported from China with 44 percent support tariffs and 45 percent opposed.
• Asked if they support tariffs if they increase costs, 44 percent do and 47 percent don't.
• Voters do oppose tariffs 51 to 40 percent if those tariffs cause China to raise tariffs on American products.

"By any measure, a trade war with China is a terrible idea and there is no ambivalence. Americans, young, old, Republican and Democrat, say, back off or it will hurt the economy," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll.

The independent poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, conducts nationwide public opinion surveys, and statewide polls in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa and Colorado as a public service and for research.

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