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 High school graduate Some college College graduate Post-graduate

52% 58% 70% 80% 84%

PERCENT WHO SAY EFFECTS OF TRADE ON THE ECONOMY IS GOOD (continued) Income Under $50,000 $50-$100,000 Over $100,000 Republicans Democrats Independents Whites Blacks 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 Restrictions necessary 64% 56% Free trade must be allowed 29 31

60% 70% 82% 74% 62% 66% 70% 44%

10/1996 63% 27

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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.

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?

Good Bad No effect DK/NA

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 67 74 62 66 20 16 24 20 7 6 8 7 6 4 6 7

Oct96d % 69 17 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 56 31 13

Restrictions necessary Free trade must be allowed DK/NA

64 29 7

62 33 5

66 29 5

64 27 9

Total Respondents Total Republicans Total Democrats Total Independents

UNWEIGHTED 1229 372 388 469

WEIGHTED

360 412 456