State of the Union 2019: How Americans see major national issues
Here is a look at public opinion on important issues facing the United States, from Americans' views of trade to the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Americans view this shutdown much as they did past ones – negatively and with much anxiety
No matter who they blamed for previous government shutdowns or how much they felt personally affected by them, most Americans have had negative opinions about them.
Democratic and Republican House members on average represent similar numbers of federal workers
Many federal workers live and work far from D.C., with substantial numbers in districts scattered across the country – and represented by both Democratic and GOP members of Congress.
The data casualties of the federal government shutdown
The government shutdown has squeezed the daily flood of data from federal agencies down to a trickle. Take a look at what data are and are not available.
The real value of a $15 minimum wage depends on where you live
Although most Americans back a higher minimum wage, wide disparities in local living costs make finding an appropriate rate difficult.
Americans, Like Many in Other Advanced Economies, Not Convinced of Trade’s Benefits
People in advanced and emerging economies generally agree that growing trade and business ties with other nations are good for their country, but fewer are convinced such ties lead to more jobs, higher wages or lower prices at home.
As new tariffs take hold, more see negative than positive impact for the U.S.
Americans’ views of the new tariffs between the United States and some of its trading partners tilt more negative than positive.
Americans are generally positive about free trade agreements, more critical of tariff increases
Americans’ views of free trade agreements, which turned more negative during the 2016 campaign, are now about as positive as they were prior to the campaign.
U.S. trade deficits with other countries can vary significantly, depending on how they’re measured
The United States runs a far larger merchandise trade deficit with China than with any other nation. But when the trade deficit is measured in other ways, the U.S. actually has a larger imbalance with countries outside of China.
Despite talk of ‘trade war’ with China, highest U.S. tariffs are on imports from other Asian countries
The highest U.S. tariffs aren't on imports from its biggest trading partners, but on products from several developing South Asian nations whose exports are heavily weighted toward clothing, footwear and other products that the U.S. generally taxes highly.
