Poll finds most Americans support Trump idea to pay U.S. companies to remove operations from China

Most Americans support a proposal from the Trump administration to pay U.S. companies to remove operations from China and Hong Kong, according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.

The poll found that just over half (52%) of respondents support the idea of helping cover the cost of moving American companies home. Thirty percent (30%) are opposed. Only a third (33%) have strong opinions on the question, half (49%) either slightly favor or oppose.

Image

Just the News Daily Poll

With Scott Rasmussen

"This is probably a reflection of the fact that the idea has not been widely discussed," Rasmussen said. "Partisan differences can be found, but they are more muted than in response to many topics." 

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of GOP voters at least somewhat support the idea. So do 47% of Independents and 42% of Democrats.

"It’s likely that voters strongly embrace the concept of the companies returning home for at least three reasons: punishing China, bringing manufacturing jobs home, and strengthening supply lines," Rasmussen said. "However, there is probably also some resistance to the idea of subsidizing companies to do what many Americans think those companies should do on their own. And, among many voters, there is probably some residual distaste over the companies decision to set up shop in China in the first place."

Last week, President Trump said the United States would also punish China for what the president said was unfair trade practices and for violating its governance agreement with Hong Kong.

"Americans are entitled to fairness and transparency," Trump said in a recent Rose Garden press conference. "China's pattern of misconduct is well known."

The president also said he's seeking "fair and reciprocal treatment" from China. 

Trump criticized the Chinese communist government's recent restrictions on Hong Kong's self-governance provisions – agreed to by the Chinese government in order for the United Kingdom to withdraw from Hong Kong in 1997.

"Hong Kong was secure and prosperous as a free society," Trump said, accusing China of "degrading" Hong Kong's freedoms, violating its "one country, two systems" 27 years earlier than promised to the United Kingdom.

Trump said that the United States would revoke commercial and traveling benefits currently in place for Hong Kong due to Chinese actions.

Just the News Daily Poll respondents were asked “Many American companies have operations in China and Hong Kong. To encourage them to return their supply chains and production to the United States, a proposal has been made for the federal government to help pay their moving costs. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?” They replied as below:

• 20% Strongly Favor
• 32% Somewhat Favor
• 17% Somewhat Oppose
• 13% Strongly Oppose
• 18% Not Sure 

The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted May 28-30, 2020 by Rasmussen, a polling veteran. Margin of sampling error: +/- 2.8% for full sample. 

To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question, click below:

To see the methodology and sample demographics for this polling question, click below: