Poll: Trump and Tariffs

This Navigator Research report covers perceptions of Trump’s handling of the economy, tariffs, and how Trump’s policies are seen as affecting the stock market and the costs of everyday goods.

Trump’s economic approval is now underwater by double digits, the lowest in Navigator tracking.

A majority of Americans (55 percent) disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the economy (net -13). As recently as February, a plurality approved of his handling of the economy. More than three quarters (78 percent) have heard at least some negative news about Trump, with “tariffs” dominating the conversation. 

As tariffs drive negative news surrounding Trump, a majority of Americans say Trump’s use of tariffs leads them to view him more negatively (52 percent more negative – 25 percent more positive).

• Three in five independents disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy. Republicans are more positive (net + 64), but a notable decline since February (net + 83). Republicans who identify as not supporting the MAGA movement are less enthusiastic about Trump’s economic job performance  (67 percent approve) than those who identify as MAGA.

• Trump’s overall job approval is nine points underwater (44 percent approve – 53 percent disapprove), a net 11-point decrease since February.

Majorities believe Trump’s policies are contributing to high prices and volatility in the stock market.

Nearly three quarters (72 percent) believe Trump’s policies are contributing to volatility in the stock market, including a majority of Republicans (62 percent), and independents (60 percent). Nearly 60 percent of Americans (58 percent) believe Trump’s policies are contributing to the high cost of groceries and other living expenses, including 71 percent of Americans who say they are uneasy about their personal financial situations.

• As a majority of Americans believe Trump’s policies are contributing to the high cost of groceries and other living expenses, Americans are increasingly uneasy about their own personal financial situations. Three in five are uneasy about their personal financial situations (62 percent uneasy), a 10 point increase since February when 52 percent said they felt uneasy about their personal finances.

• Americans are concerned about the impacts of the tariffs, including that “Trump’s new tariffs will result in the biggest tax increase in American history, costing American families over $3,500 per year” (73 percent find this concerning, including 58 percent who find it “very” concerning) and that “in the hours after Trump’s new tariff announcement and in direct response, nearly 1,000 employees have already been laid off in Michigan and Indiana” (71 percent find this concerning, including 53 percent who find it “very” concerning).

The more Americans hear about tariffs, the less they support them.

Four in five Americans have heard a lot or some about tariffs (81 percent), a nearly 30-point increase from January (52 percent). As familiarity with tariffs has increased, views of tariffs have become increasingly negative, with 58 percent viewing tariffs unfavorably and only 30 percent having positive views of tariffs. A majority also oppose Trump’s tariff plan specifically (55 percent), including 89 percent of Democrats, 52 percent of independents, and 20 percent of Republicans. 

• A majority want Congress to take back the power over tariffs from Trump (56 percent), including 86 percent of Democrats, 53 percent of independents, and 25 percent of Republicans. Similarly, a third of those who voted for Trump but don’t strongly approve of his handling of the presidency believe Congress should take back the power over tariffs.