Many Americans are losing faith in President Trump’s ability to improve the economy. A recent poll shows that a significant portion of the population fears a recession is on the horizon. They worry that his tariffs are leading to higher prices for everyday goods.
About half of U.S. adults believe these trade policies will substantially raise prices, while another 30% think prices will rise somewhat. Concerns are high—around 50% of people say they are very or extremely worried about the economy slipping into a recession soon.
Despite some doubts about Trump’s economic strategies, many still haven’t completely turned against him. However, growing skepticism could be a real issue for a president who promised quick solutions to inflation.
Just three months into his second term, Trump’s popularity concerning economic matters is shaky. Only 40% approve of his management of the economy and tariffs. That’s consistent with a similar poll from March.
Matthew Wood, a 41-year-old from Kentucky, shared his worries about the tariffs. “I’m anxious about how this will play out,” he said. Wood, who is currently unemployed, switched his political affiliation to independent because he’s unhappy with Trump’s direction. He is giving the president until the end of the year to see positive changes from the tariffs.
Interestingly, a distinct shift in opinion about tariffs has emerged. The latest data shows that 52% of Americans oppose tariffs on all goods coming into the country, up from 46% earlier this year. This change seems to be driven by younger adults who previously had no strong opinions.
Supporters like Janice Manis, a 63-year-old retired sheriff’s deputy, still back Trump but express concerns about decisions, like pausing tariff negotiations. “He shouldn’t have suspended it,” she added, believing that stricter measures would have kept countries like China in check.
Overall, skepticism about Trump’s trade tactics remains high. Six out of ten adults feel he has pushed tariffs too far, influencing how companies approach their business strategies. With stocks down this year and rising interest rates, everyday Americans might notice the impact on their loans and mortgages soon.
Concern over rising grocery prices is heightened, with about 60% of U.S. adults extremely worried about food costs in the coming months. Nearly half are anxious about expenses for larger purchases like cars and appliances, but less than half are stressed about their overall ability to buy what they want, showing some confidence in the economy.
Retirement savings are another major stressor for many. Approximately 40% say their savings cause them significant anxiety, contrasting with only 20% who find the stock market a major concern.
People like Nicole Jones, a 32-year-old student in Florida, express frustration over rising costs. “This whole tariff war is losing for everyone,” she noted, highlighting the global impact of these trade decisions. Her focus is also on her educational expenses, feeling challenged by increasing costs.
When it comes to viewpoints based on political affiliations, Republicans are showing newfound optimism about the economy compared to their feelings under Biden. However, Democrats are expressing more pessimism now than they did previously, creating a significant divide in perception.
This discussion has far-reaching implications. According to the AP-NORC poll conducted in April, which surveyed 1,260 adults, the margin of error stands at 3.9 percentage points. How these economic dynamics unfold could have considerable effects on public sentiment as the political landscape changes.
For further details, you can check the full poll results from the Associated Press-NORC Center.
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Donald Trump, Public opinion, Joe Biden, Economic policy, Scott Bessent, China, Economy, Government policy, International trade, Recessions and depressions, General news, Tariffs and global trade, AP Top News, Kamala Harris, Politics, Elon Musk, Washington news, Nicole Jones, Matthew Wood, U.S. news, Business, Associated Press, Janice Manis, U.S. News