You know how Donald Trump somehow gets credit for opposing what he likes to call “disastrous trade deals,” even though his Trump-branded products are manufactured all over the globe, taking full advantage of that disastrousness? And how the assumption is that his supporters are overwhelmingly working-class people (white ones, obviously) motivated by that rhetoric against trade deals? There’s already a lot of evidence that this is not the root of Trump’s appeal, but more evidence is always good, so throw this Reuters/Ipsos poll on the pile:
In the automaking state of Michigan, which has voted reliably for Democratic candidates in recent presidential elections but which Trump has fought hard to win, some 40 percent of likely voters believed Clinton would be better equipped to address trade, compared with 36 percent for Trump.
In Ohio, known for its aerospace, steel and rubber industries, 45 percent said Clinton would be better on trade, compared with 38 percent for Trump. In Pennsylvania, long a steel and heavy manufacturing center, 45 percent favored Clinton on trade, compared with 38 percent for Trump, according to the polling, conducted in mid-October.
That’s right, Donald. Voters—at least many of them—see through your bluster and BS on this one. It’s possible to be right that there are big problems with America’s trade deals and yet still get everything else wrong on the issue.
You could almost see this as a microcosm of the race. Donald Trump just isn’t as popular or trusted as he thinks he is, no matter how much applause he hears from the supporters at his rallies.