It may have taken the worst recession since the Great Depression to open their eyes, but the majority of Americans are beginning to realize that the federal government’s free trade policies have not been beneficial to them in any way, shape or form, according to a new poll.

The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 69 percent of Americans believe that free trade agreements have cost America jobs. Just 18 percent believe that those agreements have created jobs.

A majority of Americans – 53 percent – believe that free trade has hurt the nation overall. That’s up from just 46 percent in 2007 and 30 percent in 1999.

More than a decade after the North American Free Trade Agreement was implemented, Americans are now recognizing the havoc it has wreaked.

Pre-NAFTA, the U.S. had 16.8 people employed in the manufacturing field. By 2007, that number was down to just 13.9 million. That accounts for over 20 percent of America’s manufacturing jobs over that 14 year period. Those good-paying manufacturing jobs have been replaced by low-paying service sector jobs with little or no benefits.

America’s membership in the World Trade Organization has been just as devastating to the economy – especially since China entered into the international organization.

Since entering the WTO in 2001, trade with China has resulted in the loss of 2.3 million jobs through 2007, according to the Economic Policy Institute. In 2006 alone, the trade gap with China resulted in the loss of 366,000 American jobs. Those fortunate enough to retain their jobs witnessed their annual earnings decrease by roughly $1,400. American workers are put in direct competition with one another as more and more employers look to offshore production to nations with lower wage rates.

Other American trade agreements, such as the Central American Free Trade Agreement and bilateral deals with other nation’s around the world, have not been as highly publicized, but they too have not proven to be the economic boost they were purported to be.

The growing discontent, however, is not exclusive to the usual suspect: liberals, self-identified Democrats, union members. No, the disillusionment reaches across party lines. Nearly the same amount of union members – 65 percent – as Tea Party members – 61 percent – say that free trade has hurt the U.S.

The poll also found that 86 percent of Americans agree that outsourcing production and manufacturing work have led to some of the nation’s economic struggles. Another 66 percent agree that part of the problem is the fact that America has lost its technological edge in manufacturing.

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