Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity Releases 2015 National Poll

Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity Releases New Polling Data on Trade
Intellectual property, environment, agricultural exports top priorities for Americans

A new poll gauging public opinion on issues of trade was released by the Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity (TAPP). The poll was conducted by Paragon Insights from February 20-22, 2015, among a national sample of 1,812 registered voters. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.

64-percent of voters felt global trade agreements were necessary to protect intellectual property and copyrights of U.S. innovators in overseas markets; 56-percent believed global trade agreements are the most effective way to export the rule of law, environmental standards, quality labor practices, and western values; 55-percent said open markets increase the global value chain and lead to better paying jobs in the United States; and 52-percent believed that open markets are generally good for America’s farmers. Only 26-percent of respondents believed, “global trade agreements are a bad idea and the United States should isolate its economy to interstate commerce and the western hemisphere.”

The public is split over the president’s handling of trade with 40 percent approving and 42 percent disapproving. Notably, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the most trusted source of information on issues of trade outside of the government by a three-to-one margin.

“These numbers show that Americans are seeking strong trade agreements as one way to improve the conditions of the global marketplace for U.S. businesses and US innovators,” said Patrick Rosenstiel, Executive Director of TAPP. “Congress should authorize Trade Promotion Authority for the President and the US Trade Representative should continue his pursuit of robust protections for intellectual property as we finish up TPP negotiations and negotiate future trade agreements.” 

Click Here for a report overview.