Tariffs were unpopular before President Donald Trump’s victory in the November presidential election but have become even less popular since then, according to a new poll.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump announced new tariffs on dozens of countries last week with the aim of closing the trade deficit and restoring U.S. manufacturing. However, economists warn that this could come at a cost to American consumers through higher prices. The stock market reacted negatively to Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 7 percent since last Wednesday.
The tariffs’ popularity and impact on the economy will be crucial to the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections. The economy has been on voters’ minds for years, and Democrats believe higher prices caused by the tariffs could spark a backlash against Trump.
What To Know
A new poll from Navigator Research shows that Americans’ views of tariffs have become more negative since August 2024, though Republicans have generally grown more supportive of the policy.
The latest poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters from April 3 to April 7, 2025, found that 58 percent of Americans view tariffs unfavorably, compared to 30 percent who view them favorably, giving them a -28 disapproval.
In August, that number was only -11. Tariffs fell to a -15 approval rating by December 8 and a -13 rating by February 13. According to the polling firm, it dropped to -23 by March 17.
Only 4 percent of Democrats view tariffs favorably, compared to 23 percent of independents and 58 percent of Republicans, Navigator found.
Grant Davis Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek it’s “not at all” surprising that tariffs have dropped in popularity, as the millions of Americans who hold stocks have seen the value of those assets decrease.
“The skid has been particularly painful and disconcerting for those over 50 looking at their 401(k) accounts,” he said. It’s been a train wreck, in fact.”
The tariffs have created a political challenge for Republicans, he said, as Americans simply don’t like being “jerked around financially,” and some damage has already been done. The midterms were already likely to be costly for the GOP, but Republicans’ likelihood of losing control of the House is “pretty much a lock.”
He described the tariffs as “one of the biggest unforced errors in modern politics.”
“Trump likes chaos and uncertainty but here he has created a political monster, which in this instance Dr. Frankenstein cannot control,” he said.
What People Are Saying
Syracuse University Political Science Professor Grant Davis Reeher told Newsweek: “Prior to this moment, we had also been exposed to media accounts that the consensus among economists was that these kinds of tariffs would not be good for the economy and would lead to rising prices, and even perhaps a recession. None of that sounds good to the average voter. Even many Republican supporters of Trump in Congress seem to be drawing the line here.”
White House Senior Counselor Peter Navarro told Fox News: “I guarantee no recession. Why? Because when we pass the biggest, broadest tax cut in history within a matter of months, that’s going to be a great stimulus.”
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, in his annual letter released Monday: “The recent tariffs will likely increase inflation and are causing many to consider a greater probability of a recession. And even with the recent decline in market values, prices remain relatively high. These significant and somewhat unprecedented forces cause us to remain very cautious.”
President Donald Trump, while announcing the new tariffs on Wednesday, said: “Chronic trade deficits are a national emergency.”
What Happens Next
The 10 percent tariffs on all global imports went into effect on Saturday, and the country-specific reciprocal tariffs will begin on Wednesday. This includes 104 percent tariffs on goods imported from China.
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