Tariffs and Tensions: Americans Grow Uneasy About the Economic Direction

Donald Trump has returned to the White House with a vengeance, not just in tone but in policy. His second term has already been marked by sweeping executive orders, deregulation and a series of bold new tariffs targeting the United States’ closest allies. Yet beneath the bravado and economic nationalism the question remains whether this approach is working for the American people.

The latest polling reveals a nation divided. While Trump’s rhetoric still resonates strongly with his core base, broader public opinion suggests increasing anxiety over the cost of living, trade wars and the direction of the U.S. economy. Support for tariffs is more fragile than the White House might like to admit and concerns are rising over their long-term impact on American households and global alliances. [\[1\]](/research/tariffs-and-tensions-americans-grow-uneasy-about-the-economic-direction)

A Divided Verdict on the U.S. Economy

Public opinion on the current state of the U.S. economy shows a modest improvement since the start of the year but it is far from a glowing report. Only 10% of Americans now say the economy is “excellent,” up from 8% in the previous survey. A further 24% consider it “good,” compared to 20% before. However, one-third of the population still rate the economy as “poor,” and another third describe it as merely “fair.”

Among Trump’s 2024 voters, optimism is higher with 15% of his supporters now saying the economy is in excellent shape, compared to just 7% of Kamala Harris voters and 4% of those who didn’t vote. But enthusiasm beyond the Trump coalition is limited. 45% of Harris voters believe the economy is poor, as do significant numbers of older and working-class respondents.

Despite modest gains in sentiment, inflation continues to weigh heavily on American households with 60% of respondents saying they are “very concerned” about inflation, with an additional 31% saying they are “somewhat concerned.” This means over nine in ten Americans express some degree of concern about rising prices. Women, younger voters and older voters, groups often the most sensitive to price fluctuations are particularly worried. Among voters aged 65 and over, 62% say they are very concerned, while that figure rises to 65% among women.

Trump’s Trade War: Who Still Believes in Tariffs?

Tariffs have returned to the centre of Trump’s economic policy. The president has reintroduced and expanded trade barriers on Canada, Mexico, China and the EU, claiming they are essential to protect American workers and restore domestic industry. But despite the populist appeal of this strategy, support among the public is lukewarm at best.

Just 13% of Americans say they strongly support Trump’s use of tariffs, while another 14% somewhat support them. On the other hand, nearly half the population is opposed, 17% somewhat oppose tariffs, and 32% strongly oppose them. Opposition is especially pronounced among Harris voters, 54% of whom strongly oppose tariffs and among voters aged 65 and over, 37% of whom are also strongly opposed, despite being a demographic often considered key to Trump’s base.

Among young voters aged 18 to 24, only 7% strongly support tariffs and 28% oppose them outright. This suggests that Trump’s approach may be alienating the future electorate. Even among Trump’s own 2024 voters, only 24% strongly support his tariff policy, with a further 24% somewhat supporting it, far from the overwhelming endorsement his administration projects.

Perceptions of Impact: More Harm Than Good?

When asked how tariffs affect the broader U.S. economy, Americans are far more pessimistic than the administration’s public messaging suggests. 30% believe tariffs have a very negative effect on the economy and another 22% say they are somewhat negative. In contrast, just 9% view them as very positive. This means over half the public sees the tariff regime as damaging, while only a quarter believes it is beneficial.

Concerns extend to personal finances as well. 39% say tariffs have significantly or greatly affected their household budgets. A further 25% say they’ve been moderately affected. Only 7% believe they’ve had no effect at all. Even among Trump’s base, 42% report feeling moderate to significant financial impacts from tariffs, while 24% say they are at least “somewhat concerned” about retaliatory tariffs hurting U.S. farmers and exporters.

Voters also appear skeptical of the long-term benefits. Asked whether short-term pain, such as job losses and higher consumer prices, is a fair price to pay for potential future economic gains, only 10% strongly agreed. 39% either somewhat or strongly disagreed with the premise. This presents a real warning sign for Trump’s economic strategy: voters are feeling the squeeze, and they’re no longer sure the sacrifice is worth it.

Trade-Offs and Tax Cuts: A Public Relations Risk

Trump’s team has floated the idea of replacing income taxes with higher tariffs, a bold pitch to voters who are tired of government levies and ready for dramatic economic reform. However, the polling shows that most Americans aren’t convinced.

Only 10% of respondents strongly support this idea and 18% somewhat support it. By contrast, 34% oppose it to some degree, while a quarter remain undecided. When asked to choose between two economic burdens, paying more for goods due to tariffs, or higher income taxes, Americans are almost evenly split. 24% said they were more concerned about rising prices, while 20% said they feared higher taxes more. But most revealingly, 40% said they were concerned about both equally, highlighting widespread economic anxiety that transcends political lines.

This makes it difficult for Trump to claim a clear mandate on tariffs. Even among his supporters, economic nationalism may not outweigh personal financial strain. As the cost of everyday goods rises and international tensions grow, public patience could soon reach a breaking point.

Allies and Aftershocks: Concern Over Diplomatic Fallout

The Trump administration’s use of tariffs isn’t just an economic issue, it’s a geopolitical one. Many Americans are now worried that Trump’s confrontational approach is damaging long-standing strategic relationships with allies.

27% of respondents said they are “extremely concerned” that tariffs and trade wars could hurt U.S. diplomatic ties. Another 18% are “very concerned.” That makes 45% of Americans who are deeply uneasy about the potential foreign policy fallout. Even among Trump voters, 26% expressed moderate or high concern about this issue, while nearly two-thirds of Harris voters are alarmed by the risk of alienating allies like Canada, Germany and Japan.

The numbers paint a clear picture: although tariffs may still hold political appeal among some parts of the electorate, their long-term popularity is fragile, especially when their economic and diplomatic costs become more tangible.

Trump’s renewed focus on tariffs is not without political calculation. He has tapped into real frustrations among voters who feel abandoned by globalisation and disillusioned by free trade. But the latest polling reveals a growing discomfort, even among some of his own supporters. Rising prices, economic uncertainty and diplomatic tensions are beginning to erode support for a strategy that once felt like a political masterstroke.

The promise of economic nationalism may have won Trump the White House again but whether it can deliver sustained public support is far less certain. As American households feel the pinch and anxieties mount about the nation’s standing in the world, tariffs are looking less like a tool of renewal and more like a gamble that could unravel both economic stability and international trust.

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[\[1\]](/research/tariffs-and-tensions-americans-grow-uneasy-about-the-economic-direction) King’s College London

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