The basics:

• 66% of NJ voters say Trump administration tariffs increased prices
• 93% of Democrats vs. 22% of Republicans say tariffs raised costs
• 52% say U.S. less powerful globally than it was 10 years ago
• Survey of 700 registered voters conducted Feb. 6–16; +/- 3.7% margin of error

A new Stockton University poll finds two-thirds of New Jersey voters believe that Trump administration tariffs have led to higher prices. Meanwhile, 21% say tariffs have had no effect and 8% think they lowered prices.

Conducted by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton, the poll engaged 700 registered voters from Feb. 6–16. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.7%. The survey took place before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump‘s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs.

Views are sharply divided by party: 93% of Democrats say tariffs raised prices, compared with 62% of independents and 22% of Republicans. About half of Republicans (51%) say tariffs had no effect; nearly one in 5 believe they reduced prices.

‘Another layer to the uncertainty’

“Tariffs have long been used by governments, including the United States, to protect domestic industries, address perceived unfair trade practices, and advance other political interests, but they often come with trade-offs like higher consumer prices, more expensive inputs for domestic industries, and retaliation from other countries,” said Tina Zappile, Hughes Center director and associate professor of Political Science.

Since that Supreme Court ruling, which NJBIZ reported on, the Trump administration quickly invoked a different law to implement a 10% universal tariff for up to 150 days without congressional approval.

“The recent ruling adds another layer to the uncertainty that’s loomed over U.S. trade policy for the last year,” said Alyssa Maurice, Hughes Center assistant director and head of research. “New Jersey consumers recognize that trade policy doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and for most voters, tariffs translate directly into higher costs at checkout.”

Beyond tariffs, key findings in the poll include:

• 52% say the U.S. is less important and powerful globally than it was 10 years ago
  • 25% say more important, 17% say about the same
• In a 2016 Stockton University poll, 45% said the U.S. was less important than a decade earlier
  • 21% said more important, and 32% said unchanged
• Regarding Venezuela, after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro:
  • 58% say the U.S. should be not too involved (15%) or not at all involved (43%) in governing the country
  • 37% favor at least some involvement, including 13% who say the U.S. should be very involved

Zappile said that American presidents often struggle to articulate a grand strategy for their foreign policy.

“President Trump faces the same challenge as his predecessors to convince the public that American military intervention advances the country’s interests or preserves its power and leadership role in the world,” said Zappile. “Whether governing Venezuela, taking over Greenland, or using force in other countries, Americans have grown tired of this strategy, at least for now.”

The full poll results are available here.