More than 70% of U.S. voters say President Donald Trump's 2020 trade deal with Mexico and Canada has been good for the economy, according to a new survey.
The Financial Times reported that 72% of voters surveyed by Public Opinion Strategies for the Global Business Alliance said the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has benefited the U.S. economy, including two-thirds of Republicans and three-quarters of Democrats.
The news about the poll results comes as the Trump administration formally begins the six-year review of the landmark trade pact, which Trump negotiated during his first term to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.
According to the survey, majorities of voters also say the USMCA has helped create American jobs and lower prices for consumers, underscoring broad public support for the agreement even as the administration pushes for revisions.
Jonathan Samford, president and CEO of the Global Business Alliance, called the USMCA "one of the most powerful tools the United States has to attract global capital, strengthen supply chains, expand manufacturing, and create good-paying American jobs."
"At the agreement's core are clear, stable rules that give international companies the confidence to invest, manufacture, and hire here," Samford said, FT reported.
Trump repeatedly has praised the USMCA as a significant improvement over NAFTA but has argued additional reforms are needed after the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico continued to grow.
His administration is seeking tougher rules requiring a greater level of U.S. and North American content in automobiles, along with stronger safeguards aimed at preventing Chinese goods from benefiting from the agreement.
The administration is expected to decline extending the agreement for another 16 years at this stage, triggering the review process outlined in the USMCA's "sunset clause."
Negotiations with Mexico are continuing, while separate discussions with Canada have yet to begin in earnest.
The New York Times reported Canada and Mexico have both urged the U.S. to renew the agreement, warning prolonged uncertainty could discourage investment and disrupt highly integrated North American supply chains.
Both countries also are seeking relief from U.S. tariffs on automobiles, steel, and aluminum.
Not everyone supports leaving the pact largely intact.
The United Auto Workers and United Steelworkers have argued the agreement should be strengthened with tougher labor protections and greater incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S.
Still, the new survey suggests voters across party lines continue to view Trump's signature North American trade deal as a positive for the U.S. economy, even as negotiations begin over its next chapter.
Reuters contributed to this report.