Miscellaneous Policy Questions

The president is attempting to pass free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama, and South Korea. The view of almost 82 percent of NABE Policy Survey panelists is that these agreements should be passed, with 45 percent asserting that such agreements are long overdue and should be passed as soon as possible. Another 37 percent suggested that passage should occur only if trade adjustment assistance for displaced workers is coupled with the agreements. The remainder of the panel expressed the view that international trade is hurting American workers, and they would not support the passage of these or any other free trade agreements.

Regulatory activity has gained a lot of attention, with many groups suggesting that American businesses are overregulated by the current administration. With that said, 80 percent of survey respondents felt that the current regulatory environment was “good” for American businesses and the overall economy.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently filed a complaint against Boeing’s intention to locate a new factory in South Carolina, alleging that the company chose the location as a means of punishing its union workers in Washington State. Some have suggested that the legal action was overreaching on the part of the NLRB, and if allowed to stand could impact other companies’ decisions to locate their plants wherever they see fit. A little over half of NABE panelists responding to this question disagreed with the NLRB action, while about one-third stated that they did agree with it.

When asked about their top economic concern, many businesses have cited “uncertainty” as a major worry, suggesting that continued anxiety is impacting their decision-making process. In contrast, almost three-quarters of NABE panelists felt that while Americans remain anxious, “economic uncertainty” is simply a proxy for other economic indicators, and once the economy starts to improve, such anxieties will go away. The majority of survey respondents indicated that while uncertainty might be a concern, it is not a major one. About 13 percent of respondents, however, felt that economic uncertainty is a major concern and that it is hampering consumer spending and business investment.

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