Trump's Trade Policies Stir Doubts Among Supporters
By : Krishna Mishra
A new poll indicates that President Donald Trump's contentious trade policies are causing apprehension among his own supporters, potentially influencing Republican backing in the run-up to 2026.
What Happened: A POLITICO-Public First poll carried out in June reveals that 25% to 50% of those who voted for Trump in 2024 have voiced concerns about his tariff strategies, particularly his stance towards China.
Merely half of the Trump voters surveyed believe that his tariffs on China, the globe’s second-largest economy, will be advantageous for American businesses.
This data presents a significant alert for Republicans, given President Trump’s focus on trade and his pledges to restore industries to the U.S. The poll also discloses that Trump’s recent assertive tariff letters to other nations, threatening to levy substantial new tariff rates, have rekindled global trade disputes.
About 25% of self-identified 2024 Trump voters voiced last month that the president’s tariffs are adversely impacting the United States’ capacity to negotiate improved trade agreements with other nations.
The voters are evenly divided on whether Trump should possess the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs on other countries, with 45% supporting and 44% suggesting he should seek consent from Congress.
Trump has declared another round of tariffs to be levied on August 1, asserting that these tariffs will bring “big money” to America.
However, the costs of these tariffs are shouldered by the companies and individuals importing the goods, which often pass onto their consumers.