Poll: 67% of Dems say NAFTA is good for the U.S., just 22% of Republicans agree

Perhaps because of Trump’s criticisms of NAFTA, fewer Republicans now than in the past say the agreement has been good for the U.S. Twenty-two percent of Republicans now hold this view, down from 40% in 2004 and 46% in 2000. In contrast, 67% of Democrats now say NAFTA has been good for the country, up from 39% in 2004 and 49% in 2000. While there was essentially no gap in Republicans’ and Democrats’ views of NAFTA from 1997 to 2004, a large partisan divide now exists.

The trajectory of independents’ views has been similar to Democrats, with their support increasing from 37% in 2004 to 53% now. Republicans are the only party group in which support for NAFTA does not reach a majority level.

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders also criticized NAFTA on the campaign trail, but it may not have had much of an effect on his younger supporters. Of those aged 18-29, 73% say NAFTA has been good for the U.S., the highest of any age group. In contrast, less than half of those in all other age groups support NAFTA.