A growing number of Americans are expressing concerns regarding Donald Trump’s plans to reshape the US economy with extensive tariffs on imports, as indicated by a unique poll conducted for the Guardian, despite the president’s attempts to downplay the potential risks associated with his approach.
“Fear not, we will WIN everything!!!” Trump declared on Truth Social on Thursday, asserting that tariffs were already “pouring money” into the nation.
However, worries are mounting. When presented with a range of issues such as inflation, healthcare, and immigration, 72% of respondents expressed concern about tariffs.
The survey, carried out by the Harris Poll in early March, shows a significant increase in concern from a similar poll in mid-January, during which only 61% voiced apprehension regarding tariffs.
Much has evolved since that time. Following his return to the White House, Trump has advocated for tariffs against several key trading partners of the US, imposing an additional 20% tariff on Chinese imports and raising tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.
The president has also indicated plans to escalate next month, suggesting sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs on all global imports and universal tariffs on products coming from Canada and Mexico.
Despite widespread alarm, Trump and his administration have been asserting over the past few weeks that this approach will reinvigorate American jobs and eventually elevate wages. Last week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged that a recession was a possibility, but claimed it would be “worth it.”
Yet, many Americans appear doubtful of this outlook: according to the survey, 66% think it will take years for the US economy to bounce back from Trump’s tariffs.
The nation remains polarized. Recent polling indicates that individuals’ perceptions of the economy under Trump largely correspond with their political affiliation. Republicans are less likely than Democrats and independents to express worries about the economy and inflation, as well as a potential recession and tariffs.
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90% of Democrats and 69% of independents reported concerns about tariffs, in contrast to 57% of Republicans.
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89% of Democrats and 75% of independents expressed worry about a possible recession in the US, compared to 65% of Republicans.
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85% of Democrats and 62% of independents believe the US economy will require years to recover from tariffs, compared to 52% of Republicans.
This marks a stark turnaround from the previous year when perceptions were flipped during Joe Biden’s presidency. Last May, 70% of Republicans asserted the economy was deteriorating, while only 26% held the same view last month. In comparison, 69% of Democrats currently say the economy is worsening, compared to 36% who expressed this sentiment in May.
This shift is also evident in opinions regarding the justification of tariffs against Canada and Mexico. A significant majority of Republicans view the tariffs as justified—79% for tariffs against Mexico and 75% against Canada—while only slightly over 30% of Democrats and about 40% of independents share that belief.
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Across the political spectrum, Americans remain anxious about the cost of living. A significant majority of Democrats (91%) and independents (88%), along with 82% of Republicans, conveyed concerns about the economy and inflation. Similar majorities expressed worries over their ability to meet living expenses.
The Trump administration has only intensified its stance, threatening additional tariffs in response to retaliatory tariffs imposed on American exports.
When Ontario announced potential tariffs on electricity exports to the US last week, Trump responded by raising tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada to 50%. Only after Ontario agreed to withdraw its tariffs did Trump relent. Following the EU’s implementation of a retaliatory tariff on $28 billion worth of American exports, including a 50% tax on American bourbon, Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European alcohol imports.
Trump continues to advocate for tariffs despite increasing concerns that such policies may ultimately provoke a recession. This uncertainty has unsettled Wall Street, which has experienced a rocky few weeks, notwithstanding recent encouraging data reports regarding the labor market and inflation that indicate overall economic stability.
Broad consensus exists among the public, transcending party lines, with 59% agreeing that the tariffs will not be sustained for long. This sentiment includes 61% of Republicans, 60% of Democrats, and 55% of independents.
“Most Americans believe that ‘this too shall pass’,” stated John Gerzema, CEO of Harris Poll. “However, there is a growing anxiety that the tariffs could have a lasting and unpredictable impact on the economy, whether they are rescinded soon or not.”
