S.C. residents believe they’ll pay more with tariffs

Staff reports | Almost nine out of 10 South Carolinians surveyed in a new Winthrop Poll believe they’ll pay more for foreign products because of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. And more than half believe those tariffs will end up costing the United States more than they bring in.

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But 62% of state residents also believe higher tariffs will result in more U.S. manufacturing jobs being created in the U.S.

“Nearly all Democrats and a solid majority of Republicans think that tariffs will result in higher prices,” Winthrop pollster and political scientist Scott Huffmon said in a release. “But combined with other results here, it seems clear that Republicans see it as a matter of short-term pain bringing a long-term benefit, while Democrats see it as a baked-in aspect of tariffs.”

The poll, releasedJune 5, also highlighted thoughts of Palmetto State residents on how the administration is handling immigration. About half approved of the way Trump is dealing with immigration, but 53% also thought that deporting a legal immigrant was worse than letting an illegal immigrant stay in the country.

“Sharp divides exist between Republicans and Democrats within the state on the topic of immigration,” Huffmon noted.

Other results from the May 23-31 survey of 1,211 state residents with a 2.8% margin of error:

Diversity. Two in three respondents said they think that because the nation is made up of people of many different races and ethnicities, American society is stronger. But 9% thought it weakened society.
English. Just over three in five believe an immigrant’s ability to speak English shows a willingness to assimilate into American culture and way of life.
Direction. Some 46% of South Carolinians think things in the nation are on the wrong track; 45% think things are headed in the right direction.
Economy. Some 45% disapprove of the way Trump is handling the economy; 43% approve.

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