Michigan Poll Findings
November 3, 2025
Key Findings:
The issue of affordability reigns supreme in Michigan. Voters are paying close attention to trade issues, oppose imposing tariffs, and are strongly against imposing tariffs on auto parts from Canada. The strongest messages in support of tariffs attacks our reliance on foreign suppliers, while the most effective against tariffs are related to costs and our relationship with Canada.
Detailed Findings:
Costs and affordability dominate the state’s issue agenda. Fully 66% of voters said that “reducing the cost of everyday goods and services” is one of the two most important issues facing them and their families, with the next closest issue being “improving the economy and creating jobs” at 35%. Further, only 12% of Michigan voters believe the state’s economy is “getting better” and just 16% of Michiganders say their own personal financial situation is “getting better.”
Voters are paying attention to trade and tariff issues. More than eight out of ten (86%) voters report having seen, read, or heard “a lot” (44%) or “some” (42%) about tariffs and U.S. tariff policy. Meanwhile, just fourteen percent (14%) know “not much” (11%) or “nothing at all” (3%).
Attention to trade and tariff policy is not strictly isolated to one political party over the other as Republicans (33% “a lot”), independent voters (43% “a lot”), and Democrats (57% “a lot”) are all paying close attention.
In addition, nearly seven out of ten (69%) Michigan voters think they understand tariff policy “very well” (16%) or “somewhat well” (53%). Just twenty-nine percent (29%) report understanding tariffs “not too well” (22%) or “not well at all” (7%).
Michiganders oppose the United States imposing tariffs on imported goods by six points (43% support-49% oppose), with intensity stronger against imposing tariffs by double-digits. Opposition to tariffs is driven by a broad coalition of swing voters, including independent voters (50% oppose), Seniors (52% oppose), suburban voters (51% oppose), moderate voters (54% oppose), and both those with (53% oppose) and without (47%) a college degree.
Michigan voters strongly oppose imposing tariffs on parts from Canada.
By four points, Michiganders oppose imposing tariffs on auto and manufacturing parts coming from foreign countries (42% support-46% oppose). Yet, when asked about Canada in particular, Michigan voters strongly oppose imposing tariffs on parts coming from Canada (31% support-60% oppose).
Michigan voters think tariffs are a tax. When asked to select what “best” describes a tariff, seventy-two percent (72%) think tariffs are “a tax on goods imported into the United States.” This is followed by thirteen percent (13%) who think they are a negotiating tool to reduce America’s trade deficit with other countries, and seven percent (7%) who indicate it is a tax on goods sold in the U.S.
There is little difference in attitudes by partisan affiliation, as Republicans (71%), independent voters (62%), and Democrats (81%) all agree that tariffs are best described as a tax on imported goods.
There is little disagreement across the political spectrum on who will bear the impact of tariffs – American consumers. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Michigan voters believe “American consumers” pay most of the cost of imposing tariffs. A majority of GOP voters (50%) and Trump voters (50%), and a plurality of MAGA supporters (46%), believe consumers ultimately pay most of the cost.
The strongest messages in support of imposing tariffs focus on America’s need to reduce foreign reliance and level the playing field against countries like China.
Message
% Very Convincing
America needs to reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers - especially for critical goods like steel, semi-conductors, and pharmaceuticals. Imposing tariffs helps strengthen our national security and protect supply chains from global disruptions.
27%
We need to level the playing field for the U.S. Many foreign countries - including China - subsidize their industries or use unfair, corrupt trade practices that harm American businesses and consumers. Imposing tariffs helps pressure these countries to play by the same rules as the United States.
23%
Having a tough negotiating stance when it comes to imposing tariffs signals American economic strength to the world -reinforcing the idea that the United States won't be taken advantage of in trade deals or pushed around by foreign countries.
23%
By imposing tariffs and making imported goods from other countries more expensive, we can reduce the amount of goods and products brought in from overseas and encourage more essential items to be "Made in America."
23%
Imposing tariffs helps protect American jobs and businesses. Tariffs make foreign goods more expensive, giving American manufacturers and farmers a better chance to compete and keep jobs in the country.
22%
Message
% Very Convincing
America needs to reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers - especially for critical goods like steel, semi-conductors, and pharmaceuticals. Imposing tariffs helps strengthen our national security and protect supply chains from global disruptions.
27%
We need to level the playing field for the U.S. Many foreign countries - including China - subsidize their industries or use unfair, corrupt trade practices that harm American businesses and consumers. Imposing tariffs helps pressure these countries to play by the same rules as the United States.
23%
Having a tough negotiating stance when it comes to imposing tariffs signals American economic strength to the world -reinforcing the idea that the United States won't be taken advantage of in trade deals or pushed around by foreign countries.
23%
By imposing tariffs and making imported goods from other countries more expensive, we can reduce the amount of goods and products brought in from overseas and encourage more essential items to be "Made in America."
23%
Imposing tariffs helps protect American jobs and businesses. Tariffs make foreign goods more expensive, giving American manufacturers and farmers a better chance to compete and keep jobs in the country.
22%
Message
% Very Convincing
Imposing tariffs leads to higher prices for American consumers. Tariffs raise the cost of imported goods which often leads to higher prices on everyday items for American families.
46%
Tariffs on everyday items like food, clothing, medicine, and construction materials drive up the cost of goods that are already soaring due to runaway inflation.
43%
It's not just the companies like automakers, manufacturers, and farmers who lose out with tariffs, it's every Michigander who loses out as workers will have less money to spend in their local communities as auto plants idle and workers make less. All of Michigan will feel the impact of these tariffs.
40%
The tariffs have hit Michigan automakers harder than most because steel, auto parts, and other goods go back and forth across the border to Canada. The Big Three have already idled factories and laid off thousands of workers due to the tariffs.
40%
Over half of the items imported into the United States are parts and ingredients used to manufacture things here in America. Tariffs on these imported items raises prices for American manufacturers.
40%
The strongest messages against imposing tariffs directly touch on voters’ pre-conceived notions of cost increases and their negative impact on their quality of life.
Message
% Very Convincing
Imposing tariffs leads to higher prices for American consumers. Tariffs raise the cost of imported goods which often leads to higher prices on everyday items for American families.
46%
Tariffs on everyday items like food, clothing, medicine, and construction materials drive up the cost of goods that are already soaring due to runaway inflation.
43%
It's not just the companies like automakers, manufacturers, and farmers who lose out with tariffs, it's every Michigander who loses out as workers will have less money to spend in their local communities as auto plants idle and workers make less. All of Michigan will feel the impact of these tariffs.
40%
The tariffs have hit Michigan automakers harder than most because steel, auto parts, and other goods go back and forth across the border to Canada. The Big Three have already idled factories and laid off thousands of workers due to the tariffs.
40%
Over half of the items imported into the United States are parts and ingredients used to manufacture things here in America. Tariffs on these imported items raises prices for American manufacturers.
40%
Methodology: UpONE Insights (R) & IMPACT Research (D) conducted a Michigan statewide survey of N=600 registered voters, September 9-14, 2025 (+ 4.0%) utilizing a methodology of online interviewing with survey respondents verified from the Michigan voter file. Demographic information was matched to Michigan voter file data.
About UpONE Insights (R): Robert Blizzard is the founder/CEO of UpONE Insights. Blizzard’s political experience includes polling for presidential campaigns, major statewide races for Governor and U.S. Senate, party committees, independent expenditures and Super PACs, dozens of Republicans in Congress, and state legislative caucuses across America.
About IMPACT Research (D): Brian Stryker is the managing partner of IMPACT Research, a firm that has helped elect Democratic candidates from the White House and Congress to statehouses and city halls. Stryker has a specialty in Midwestern politics, having polled for successful campaigns for Governor (e.g. Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan), U.S. Senate (e.g. Elissa Slotkin in Michigan), and Congress.
