What Americans Think About U.S. Trade Relations

U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on $34 billion of Chinese goods, a move which prompted Beijing to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports. Things are set to escalate even further after Trump threatened to add more tariffs to $200 billion of Chinese imports including fish sticks, fruit, vegetables and coal. The Chinese government have threatened to take "firm and forceful measures" if Trump does indeed follow through on his threat.

Now that the first round of tariffs have come into effect, what does the U.S. public think about the situation? Gallup conducted a poll in late June, finding that most Americans support attempts to change trade relations with Beijing. 62 percent of Americans polled said they feel China's trade policy with the U.S. is unfair with only 30 percent considering it fair. Trump has also imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on a host of trade partners including Canada and the EU. 65 percent think the situation with Canada is fair, along with 56 percent for the EU.

While a majority of 55 percent also think Japan's trade policy with the U.S. is fair, things are more divided when it comes to Mexico. 46 percent of people think trade between the U.S. and Mexico is fair while 46 percent consider it unfair.