The poll found that while 67% of Americans believe that foreign trade is good for the economy, 64% also feel that trade restrictions are necessary to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. Support for free trade over protections decreases with lower income and education levels. Republicans are more likely than Democrats and Independents to see trade as beneficial to the economy.

1. CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL
For release: January 31, 2006
6:30 P.M.
FOREIGN TRADE AND THE U.S. ECONOMY
January 20-25, 2006
Americans agree that foreign trade is good for the U.S. economy, but
they do not believe free trade should come at the expense of domestic
industries. While 67% of Americans think the overall economic effect
of foreign trade is good, almost as many think trade restrictions are
necessary to protect American industries. Americans are progressively
less enthusiastic the lower their incomes, education levels, and
opinions of the economic condition of the country.
THE EFFECTS OF FREE TRADE ON THE ECONOMY
Nearly seven in ten Americans believe that, on balance, trade with
other countries is good for the U.S. economy. Roughly the same
percentage of Americans felt this way ten years ago.
EFFECTS OF TRADE ON THE ECONOMY
Now 10/1996
Good 67% 69%
Bad 20 17
Some groups are more positive about the benefits of foreign trade on
the national economy than others. Americans are more likely to see
trade as beneficial as their incomes and education levels increase.
Republicans are more likely to describe foreign trade as good for the
economy than are Democrats and Independents, and while large majority
of whites say that trade is good for the economy, only 44% of blacks
agree.
PERCENT WHO SAY EFFECTS OF TRADE ON THE ECONOMY IS GOOD
Total 67%
Education
Less than high school 52%
High school graduate 58%
Some college 70%
College graduate 80%
Post-graduate 84%

2. PERCENT WHO SAY EFFECTS OF TRADE ON THE ECONOMY IS GOOD
(continued)
Income
Under $50,000 60%
$50-$100,000 70%
Over $100,000 82%
Republicans 74%
Democrats 62%
Independents 66%
Whites 70%
Blacks 44%
FREE TRADE VS. TRADE RESTRICTIONS
But while Americans generally approve of trade with foreign countries,
Americans across the board do not think that free trade should come at
the expense of domestic industries. By more than two to one,
Americans say trade restrictions are necessary to protect domestic
industries from foreign competition. Although this number dipped to
56% in July of 2000, it is nearly identical to what it was ten years
ago.
FREE TRADE VS. TRADE RESTRICTIONS
Now 7/2000 10/1996
Restrictions necessary 64% 56% 63%
Free trade must be allowed 29 31 27
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 1229 adults,
interviewed by telephone January 20-25, 2006. The error due to sampling for
results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage
points.

3. CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL
FOREIGN TRADE AND THE U.S. ECONOMY
January 20-25, 2006
q81 On balance, do you think trade with other countries -- both buying and selling
products -- is good for the U.S. economy, or is it bad for the U.S. economy, or does it
have no effect?
** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct96d
% % % % %
Good 67 74 62 66 69
Bad 20 16 24 20 17
No effect 7 6 8 7 7
DK/NA 6 4 6 7 7
q82 Which of the following statements comes closer to your opinion? 1. Trade restrictions
are necessary to protect domestic industries, OR 2. Free trade must be allowed, even if
domestic industries are hurt by foreign competition?
Jul00a
Restrictions necessary 64 62 66 64 56
Free trade must be allowed 29 33 29 27 31
DK/NA 7 5 5 9 13
UNWEIGHTED WEIGHTED
Total Respondents 1229
Total Republicans 372 360
Total Democrats 388 412
Total Independents 469 456