Divisions between the two major U.S. political parties over foreign policy have deepened into a chasm, as Republican voters increasingly oppose aid to Ukraine, free trade, and international commitments.
These findings come from a new Wall Street Journal poll.
In the poll, 83% of Democrats supported continued U.S. financial assistance to Ukraine in its defense against Russia, while 79% of Republicans were opposed. Throughout 2023 and 2024, polling showed a trend: Democrats increasingly believed the U.S. should do more to support Ukraine, whereas Republicans felt the U.S. was already doing too much.
Among all voters surveyed, 49% supported continued aid to Ukraine, while 44% opposed it.
Around 81% of Republicans agreed that U.S. allies do not take enough responsibility for their own defense and that American taxpayer money should no longer be used to protect them. In contrast, 83% of Democrats agreed with the opposite view—that international alliances are a source of strength and should be supported with public funds.
The divide between the two parties has grown as Republicans have increasingly adopted an isolationist stance on America’s global role, while Democrats have remained committed to supporting international alliances.
Back in 2019, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found that the two parties differed by 15 points when voters were asked whether the U.S. and its European allies benefit from the security provided by their alliances. By 2023, that gap had doubled to 30 points: 80% of Democrats and only 50% of Republicans saw those alliances as beneficial.
Another example of the contrasting orientations: 81% of Democrats in the new poll viewed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) positively, compared to just 31% of Republicans.
Republican skepticism toward free trade was also evident when voters were asked whether tariffs help or hurt the U.S. economy. About 77% of Republicans said tariffs help create American jobs and are beneficial, while 93% of Democrats said tariffs increase prices and are largely harmful.
