A new national survey from Resources for the Future finds that 75% of Americans still believe reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be a priority in trade agreements, even after a year of aggressive tariff policy under the Trump administration. Support for carbon-based tariffs on imports dropped 14 points from 2024 to 2025, but a majority still backs the idea even if it raises consumer costs. The polling reveals sharp partisan divides. Republican support for prioritizing emissions in trade deals fell from 74% to 47% year over year, while Democrats and independents held steady. However, all three groups became more likely to strongly agree that the US should follow existing trade agreements, with strong agreement jumping from 33% to 57% overall. These results matter for carbon border adjustment mechanism debates in Congress. The Clean Competition Act and Foreign Pollution Fee Act remain pending, and the EU's CBAM is already driving global carbon pricing momentum. The poll suggests voters care about both climate outcomes and trade rule compliance, a combination that could shape how future carbon border policies are designed.
