RALEIGH — A majority of likely voters in North Carolina believe tariffs will raise consumer prices, with many skeptical about their potential for long-term job creation, according to a Carolina Journal Poll.
The survey of 614 likely voters found that 75% think tariffs increase product prices, while 52.5% believe higher tariffs on imports could create more U.S. manufacturing jobs. Despite some support for tariffs, 40.6% do not see economic benefits from them, though 33.9% are willing to wait one to three years for potential results. Additionally, 49% agree that tariffs would likely harm businesses and raise prices, while 41% see them as necessary for protecting domestic manufacturing. Only 10% preferred tariffs as a method to boost manufacturing jobs, compared to 26.3% who favored a non-interventionist approach and 24.5% who supported cutting regulations.
Donald Bryson, CEO of the John Locke Foundation, noted that the results reflect North Carolinians’ awareness of tariffs’ trade-offs and emphasized the need for pro-growth reforms.
More than half of voters (53.5%) believe the economy is deteriorating, and 68.3% report witnessing labor shortages in businesses.
Political Favorability Ratings:
- Gov. Josh Stein: 48.1% favorable
- Former Gov. Roy Cooper: 47.5% favorable
- Sen. Thom Tillis: 26.4% favorable
- Former President Donald Trump: 45.5% favorable
Social Issues:
- Sunday Hunting: 43.7% support lifting restrictions.
- Definition of “Woman”: 63.6% support defining a woman as assigned female at birth.
- Raw Milk Sales: 58.5% support allowing dairy farmers to sell raw milk directly to consumers.
Housing Solutions:
- 34.3% support increased funding for affordable housing.
- 20.6% believe decisions should remain local.
Other Issues:
- 62.9% favor limiting flag displays in state buildings.
- 84.7% oppose minimum grade policies in education.
- 28.9% support legalized sports betting.
The Carolina Journal Poll captures public opinion on key economic, political, and cultural issues as the state approaches an election cycle.
