President Donald Trump’s bold move to hike tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 percent—met by Beijing’s 125 percent retaliation—has reignited a national debate over trade, economic independence, and the future of American industry.
A new poll of 18,438 Epoch Times readers shows broad support for Trump’s tough stance against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its decades-long record of exploiting global trade to the detriment of U.S. manufacturing and national security.
The tariffs target what Trump calls the CCP’s predatory tactics: currency manipulation, intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, and market-warping state subsidies that systematically disadvantage American businesses.
By zeroing in on strategic sectors like steel, technology, and critical minerals, the administration’s trade overhaul aims to close the U.S.-China trade gap, fortify national security, and bring manufacturing back to American soil.
Strong Support for Tariffs
A central aim of Trump’s tariff policy is to reset global trade and push foreign governments to negotiate fairer bilateral agreements.On April 2, Trump imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on nearly all imports. For roughly 60 countries with large trade surpluses with the United States, he introduced steeper reciprocal tariffs. China, at the top of that list, faced tariffs as high as 245 percent on some products.
When asked whether the 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods is a justified step to hold China accountable, 72 percent of readers strongly agreed, and 13 percent somewhat agreed. Four percent were neutral, and a combined 11 percent disagreed.
While some respondents expressed concern about the potential harm to American exporters and consumers, most remained unfazed. Twenty-three percent said they agreed—strongly or somewhat—that China’s retaliation would cause serious harm, while 34 percent were neutral and 43 percent disagreed.
At the same time, signs of strain are emerging within China itself. Exporters, factory owners, and industry observers have voiced growing alarm as profit margins vanish, orders dry up, and job losses mount.
Critics of Beijing’s response argue that a failure of the CCP to negotiate may backfire—deepening China’s economic isolation just as other nations seek new trade terms with Washington.
Rare Earth Dominance and Electronics Exemptions
Trump has exempted a broad range of electronics—such as smartphones, laptops, servers, and chip components—from the 145 percent tariff. This exemption has offered some relief to tech companies, including Apple, whose stock had dropped after the initial tariff announcement.A clear majority of readers supported the electronics exemption, with 32 percent strongly agreeing and another 32 percent somewhat agreeing it was a prudent move. Twelve percent disagreed to some extent, while 24 percent remained neutral.
When asked whether the price of electronics is likely to rise despite the exemption, 23 percent strongly agreed and 40 percent somewhat agreed—meaning a total of 63 percent believe to some degree that prices will rise despite the exemption. Twenty-eight percent were neutral, six percent somewhat disagreed, and three percent strongly disagreed.
China, which dominates the rare earth mineral market and mines roughly 60 percent of the world’s total supply, has imposed export controls of these essential elements as part of its response to the Trump administration’s tariffs.
Rare earth metals are a group of 17 essential elements that are critical in many modern technologies, both civilian and military. Securing supply chains for these elements, which have no practical substitutes, has been a priority for Trump as he seeks to strengthen the United States’ manufacturing base.
On the issue of China’s dominance in rare earth minerals and critical components, 52 percent of respondents said they strongly agree—and 19 percent somewhat agree—that this poses a serious risk to U.S. national security. Fourteen percent were neutral, eight percent somewhat disagreed, and seven percent strongly disagreed.
Return to Factory Work?
Since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, the United States has lost over 60,000 factories and 4.7 million manufacturing jobs.Trump’s tariffs are intended to reverse this decades-long decline by shielding domestic industries from China’s trade abuses. The effort has raised a fundamental question: are Americans willing to do factory work in a country where the workforce has largely shifted toward service-sector and office jobs?
According to the poll, the answer is yes. A strong majority—74 percent—said they believe Americans are willing to return to factory jobs if those opportunities come back. Fifteen percent were neutral, while 11 percent expressed skepticism.
Respondents also emphasized the critical role of education and job training. Half of all participants strongly agreed that the United States cannot rebuild a strong manufacturing base without serious reforms in vocational and technical education. An additional 25 percent somewhat agreed, while 15 percent expressed disagreement or uncertainty.
Respondents also showed strong support for education and vocational training reform as a foundation for rebuilding the domestic industry. Half of all respondents said they strongly agree that without serious reforms in education and job training, America cannot rebuild a strong manufacturing base. Twenty-five percent somewhat agreed, 10 percent were neutral, eight percent somewhat disagreed, and seven percent strongly disagreed.
However, when asked whether a lack of skilled labor and waning interest in factory work is a greater obstacle than policy or taxes, opinion was more divided. While 41 percent agreed, 25 percent were neutral, and 34 percent disagreed—suggesting that many see government policy as the more significant barrier to reshoring American manufacturing.
Sustained Pressure on China
U.S. officials have long accused the CCP of a wide range of trade abuses—from industrial espionage to cyber-enabled theft of American intellectual property—posing serious threats to both economic and national security.“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” he said.
Although Trump has offered to lower tariffs if Beijing engages in serious negotiations, the CCP has shown little interest in compromise.
When asked whether China would change course without sustained economic pressure, an overwhelming 86 percent of poll respondents agreed, with 75 percent strongly agreeing. Nine percent disagreed, and four percent were neutral.
In contrast, there was little faith in diplomacy alone. Seventeen percent said they believe alliances and diplomatic engagement offer a better long-term strategy for confronting China, while 70 percent disagreed.
By contrast, 10 percent strongly agreed that diplomacy and alliances—not tariffs—are the better long-term path to confronting China. Seven percent somewhat agreed, while 13 percent were neutral, 26 percent somewhat disagreed, and 44 percent strongly disagreed.
The poll also revealed a near-unanimous view that China’s track record—on intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, and product dumping—has undermined global trade fairness. Eighty-four percent strongly agreed, and another six percent somewhat agreed. Six percent disagreed.
Manufacturing as a Strategic Priority
Trump has cast restoring U.S. manufacturing not just as an economic goal but as a strategic necessity. His team argues that tariffs give domestic firms the breathing room they need to invest, modernize, and grow.Poll results show overwhelming support for that vision. Eighty-nine percent of respondents said rebuilding manufacturing is critical to national strength and global leadership, while seven percent disagreed.
When asked which factors are most critical to bringing manufacturing back, respondents pointed to education, tax policy, and cultural values. Eighty-one percent cited better technical education and job training; 78 percent favored tax and regulatory incentives for reshoring; and 72 percent emphasized the need to restore respect for skilled labor. Sixty-four percent supported a more competitive overall tax and regulatory environment, while 60 percent identified stronger tariffs and trade enforcement. Respondents could select multiple answers.
Education Reform Takes Center Stage
Among the most common write-in themes was a call for sweeping education reform. Respondents overwhelmingly saw the revival of vocational and technical training as foundational to any successful manufacturing renaissance. Many advocated a return to core academic subjects—math, civics, literacy—combined with hands-on skill-building that begins in K-12.There was clear frustration with what many described as an underprepared, over-entitled workforce, and concern that the “college-for-all” mindset has undermined the value of skilled trades. Some called for banning social media in classrooms, dismantling the Department of Education, and returning to character-based instruction rooted in discipline, patriotism, and work ethic.
While energy policy, government incentives, and cultural attitudes were also mentioned, education was repeatedly cited as the root challenge—and the key to America’s industrial revival.
Confronting China Head-On
Write-in responses also revealed a strong appetite for an uncompromising stance toward China. Many readers described the CCP as a hostile adversary and the single greatest obstacle to restoring American manufacturing.Suggestions included steep and escalating tariffs—some as high as 500 percent—total economic decoupling, and bans on Chinese imports. Others called for removing Chinese nationals involved in espionage or influence operations. Several respondents blamed decades of U.S. corporate and political naivety for empowering Beijing at the expense of American industry and sovereignty.
Rethinking the Manufacturing Model
Not all write-in responses were uniform in backing a domestic manufacturing revival. Some readers expressed skepticism about whether full-scale reshoring is realistic—or even desirable—in an era shaped by automation, artificial intelligence, and global competition.While many still championed bringing key industries—such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and defense—back to U.S. soil, others emphasized that modern manufacturing is increasingly automated. They warned against nostalgic ideas of factory floors packed with workers, and instead pushed for strategic planning focused on innovation, high-tech infrastructure, and workforce readiness.
Several respondents also noted that reshoring would likely raise consumer prices, and that a cultural shift will be necessary—one that values industrial work and recognizes the changing nature of manufacturing in the 21st century.
Together, the poll results and written responses reflect more than support for Trump’s tariff strategy—they reveal a deeper desire for structural reform, cultural renewal, and national resilience.
For many Epoch Times readers, restoring U.S. manufacturing is more than just jobs or economics—it’s about rebuilding the foundations of American strength, independence, and identity.
