Protecting America Initiative Finds Majority of U.S. Voters Want Retailers to Eat Tariffs Costs

Voters Want FTC, State Attorneys General to Hold Retailers Accountable for Price Gouging

WASHINGTON – The Protecting America Initiative, a conservative nonprofit organization focused on safeguarding the nation from Communist China’s growing influence, released a new national poll today that reveals general election voters are concerned that our nation’s largest retailers are using tariffs as an excuse to hike prices. 

The findings show that a majority of general election voters agree with President Trump that retailers should bear the burden of any cost increases associated with the tariffs (52%). The data also shows that respondents don’t trust retailers to bring prices back down after trade negotiations conclude (54%).

More key findings are below: 

• 70% of respondents support imposing penalties on retailers found guilty of using tariffs as a pretext for price gouging.

• When asked who should lead efforts of accountability for retailers, 30% said the Federal Trade Commission, 28% want state attorneys general to lead the charge, but only 15% place that trust in Congress.

Protecting America Initiative surveyed 1,000 likely general election voters from May 19-21. The full polling memo can be found HERE. 

BACKGROUND: 

• In May, the Protecting America Initiative commissioned a survey of voters in the top 19 swing congressional districts in the country that found respondents believe that major corporate retailers are to blame for the trade issues plaguing the U.S. and want the retailers to shoulder the burden of any price increases from the tariffs as a result.

• The Protecting America Initiative, in April, launched a new policy blueprint of actions Congress can take to combat the CCP at the federal level.

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