(CNN) A top Democratic opposition research firm is launching a months-long effort ahead of the midterm elections to tie Republican candidates to the impacts of President Donald Trump's moves on international trade.

American Bridge 21st Century will launch "Trade War Watch" on Thursday, which includes a campaign of digital ads, research and a tailored website to make voters aware of how a tit-for-tat trade conflict with China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada is affecting industries across the United States.

The campaign is the latest sign of how Democrats believe the impacts of Trump's trade moves on particular industries could resonate with voters in key states. The operatives tasked with leading the campaign believe that the issue will also highlight how GOP leaders have dispensed with long-held Republican views on trade to fall in line with Trump.

"Republican candidates have effectively abandoned the voters they are campaigning to represent -- standing by Trump's disastrous trade war as farmers, manufacturers and small businesses in their communities are hurt," Amelia Penniman, spokeswoman for American Bridge, said about the campaign. "Trade War Watch will keep a running tab of the casualties of the trade war to make clear to voters that Republicans are not on their side."

Trump campaigned for president pledging to crack down on unfair trade practices, with China drawing much of his ire. As President, he has attempted to make good on that promise by imposing sizable tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum and cracking down on China's intellectual property violations, leading the country to respond by imposing tariffs on 128 products ranging from pork, meat and fruit to steel pipes. The European Union, Canada and Mexico have also responded to the US steel and aluminum tariffs levied on them by promising punitive measures targeting billions of dollars in American products.

Read More