Sixty-six percent (66%) of American voters believe that imports eliminate jobs in the United States. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey also found that 72% believe that exports increase the number of jobs in the United States.

On balance, 32% say that free trade creates more jobs than it eliminates while 43% disagree and say that the net impact of free trade is to eliminate more jobs. Twenty-five percent (25%) are not sure.

At the same time, 50% believe that free trade is good for consumers. Twenty-five percent (25%) say it’s bad, 16% say neither, and 9% are not sure. Fifty-six percent (56%) of men believe free trade is good for consumers along with 44% of women.

Put it all together and 41% say that free trade is good for the nation while 31% say it’s bad. The Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 15% say free trade is neither good nor bad for the nation while 12% are not sure (see crosstabs).

The notion that free trade is good for the nation is shared by 42% of political conservatives and 43% of those who are politically liberal.

Republicans, by a 47% to 26% margin, say free trade is good for the nation. Democrats are evenly divided—36% say it’s good for the USA and 37% take the opposite view. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 42% say free trade is, on balance, good. Thirty-one percent (31%) of unaffiliateds disagree.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of Republicans say free trade is good for consumers. On this point, 43% of Democrats agree along with 53% of unaffiliated voters.

By a 46% to 28% margin, Democrats say the net impact of free trade is to eliminate more jobs than it creates. Forty percent (40%) of Republicans agree that the net result of free trade is a reduction in American jobs. Thirty-six percent (36%) of GOP voters believe free trade increases the number of jobs.

Rasmussen Reports will periodically monitor attitudes towards free trade as Election 2008 unfolds. Rasmussen Reports also releases a daily Presidential Tracking Poll state polls, issue updates and other information to provide comprehensive coverage of how voters view Election 2008. To see the latest information, visit the Rasmussen Reports home page.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.