In the ongoing debate over America’s trade policy, politicians and pundits often claim that the public supports tariffs and other protectionist measures, such as those given to us by the Trump and Biden administrations. A new Cato Institute poll, however, reveals a more complex picture: Americans might like the idea of tariffs and “Buy American” policies, but their support shrinks when confronted with higher prices and other negative consequences. This disconnect—between abstract preferences and real-world actions with concrete downsides—challenges the protectionist narrative currently dominat…