What May Explain Anti-trade Sentiment among the American Public

Abstract

We see that a considerable portion of the US public expresses negative opinions when asked about varying facets of international trade. As has been discussed, this anti-trade senti-ment is persistent over time and not at all insignificant. Public opinion poll results indicate that, typically, about 30 percent to 50 percent of Americans hold negative views of international trade. The extent of anti-trade sentiment exhibited by the American public is largely out of step with public opinion elsewhere in the world, where positive views are more frequently expressed. In fact, comparing the United States to other countries for which data are available, it would seem that, generally speaking, Americans are among the most, if not the most, trade-wary people in the world. It is thought that worries of trade-related labor market dynamics underlie these negative views of international trade. Specifically, it is commonly believed that many Americans are worried that international trade, particularly increased imports, will lead to job loss and/or reduced wages for domestic workers.