Poll: Tariffs

This Navigator Research report contains polling data on the latest perceptions of new tariffs, including their impact on the cost of everyday goods, how much news Americans are hearing about tariffs, and how the implementation of new tariffs affects how Americans view President Trump.

A growing share of Americans view tariffs negatively amid the implementation of Trump’s new tariffs.

Tariffs are viewed unfavorably by a 19-point margin (31 percent favorable – 50 percent unfavorable), including among three in four Democrats (net -67; 9 percent favorable – 76 percent unfavorable) and a plurality of independents (net -29; 19 percent favorable – 48 percent unfavorable).

• 78 percent of Americans have seen, read, or heard about President Trump’s use of tariffs, including half of Americans who have heard “a lot” (52 percent). From a list of recent events, a plurality of Americans view Trump more negatively because of his use of tariffs (net -12; 31 percent more positive – 43 more negative), including independents by a 23-point margin (18 percent more positive – 41 percent more negative).

A plurality of Americans oppose new tariffs on imports to the United States — especially from Canada and Mexico.

A plurality of Americans oppose the implementation of new tariffs (net -12; 37 percent support – 49 percent oppose), including independents by 23 points (25 percent support – 48 percent oppose) and one in five Republicans who are opposed (net +43; 64 percent support – 21 percent oppose). A slightly higher share oppose specific new tariffs on Mexico and Canada (net -13; 38 percent support – 51 percent oppose), including 81 percent of Democrats, 54 percent of independents, and 20 percent of Republicans who are opposed.

• Americans are more divided on new tariffs on products imported from China (net +3; 45 percent support – 42 percent oppose). A plurality of independents remain opposed to new tariffs on China (net -12; 31 percent support – 43 percent oppose).

Majorities across party lines say their costs are increasing and worry that tariffs will only make it worse.

Two in three Americans believe that new tariffs would cause costs to increase (67 percent), including 82 percent of Democrats, 64 percent of independents, and 51 percent of Republicans. The share who believe new tariffs will cause costs to go up has increased across party lines since January when 58 percent said new tariffs would raise costs, including a 10 point increase among independents and an 8 percent increase among Republicans. Just 12 percent believe new tariffs will have no impact on costs and another 12 percent believe that tariffs will cause the cost of things to go down. 

• Seven in ten Americans believe that “your costs generally” are increasing (70 percent), and even more believe specific costs are increasing, including eggs (87 percent), groceries (79 percent), and utilities (73 percent). 70 percent see the cost of housing as increasing, and three in five Americans believe that the costs of health care (62 percent) and gas are increasing (60 percent).
• Americans who disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the economy say it is due to rising costs and tariffs.
• Reminder: A majority of Americans believe that new tariffs will hurt American consumers (51 percent) more than foreign countries (29 percent).