Americans say trade and economic ties drive international politics most

Apr 9–15, 2025 · n = 1,000 · MoE ±3.5%Source report ↗

Core finding

More Americans point to trade and economic relations than to any other factor when asked what drives international politics, with 74% naming it in an April 2025 Verasight survey.

Military power follows at 43%, 31% cite promoting ideology, and 14% point to some other factor.

Selected responses

Americans say trade and economic ties drive international politics most.

What factors are the primary motivators of decision making in international politics?

Trade/Economic Relations
73.8%
Military Power
43.2%
Promoting Ideology
31.4%
Other
14.1%

n = 1,000 · Apr 9–15, 2025 · MoE ±3.5%

Respondents could select more than one option, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
ModeVerasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
PopulationUS adults age 18+
Field datesApr 9–15, 2025
Base (unweighted)1,000
Margin of error±3.5%
Modulesociety
SponsorVerasight
Weight variableweight
Weighting targetsage, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

Sources

  1. 01

    What factors are the primary motivators of decision making in international politics?

    verasight-mpsa-2025.tiiny.co

Cite this question

Verasight MPSA Omnibus Survey #2025-026, fielded April 9-15, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.