A new national poll shows that Americans continue to express deep skepticism about President Trump’s handling of the economy, with many voters particularly uneasy about his aggressive tariff strategy. The discontent comes as Trump doubles down on a centerpiece of his economic agenda sweeping tariffs on foreign imports despite public concern and market instability.
Trump first unveiled the policy during a high-profile event in April dubbed “Liberation Day,” launching a plan that immediately triggered global uncertainty. The move sent shockwaves through international markets and reignited fears of an extended trade war. Following the announcement, the president issued a 90-day pause on most of the new tariffs for all countries except China, assuring the public that this strategy would bring global partners to the negotiating table. But after weeks of limited progress, Trump announced last week that the United States would not be able to finalize deals with more than 50 trading partners and would instead impose unilateral tariff increases on them in the coming weeks.
Despite Trump’s attempts to frame his trade policy as tough and strategic, public sentiment paints a different picture. A Marquette poll conducted between May 5 and 15 found that a majority of Americans doubt the effectiveness of his approach. Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they believe the tariffs will hurt the U.S. economy, compared to just 28 percent who think they will help. The same poll found that 58 percent expect Trump’s economic policies to increase inflation, while only 30 percent think they will bring prices down.
These figures suggest that Americans were already wary of the direction of Trump’s economic policy even before the latest round of tariff escalation began. And now, as negotiations stall and Trump signals more aggressive action, those concerns appear to be deepening. The president’s approval rating also reflects this unease. In the same Marquette survey, Trump’s overall approval sits at 46 percent, with 54 percent disapproval unchanged from March, indicating ongoing dissatisfaction among voters.
While Trump has long branded himself as a master of economic strategy, recent polling suggests that a growing number of Americans aren’t buying it. Public anxiety over rising prices, supply chain instability, and uncertainty in global trade is mounting. For many voters, the current economic climate isn’t inspiring confidence it’s fueling frustration.
Critics have pointed to the administration’s messaging as increasingly disconnected from reality, with the White House continuing to promote the tariffs as a win even as polls show most Americans feel the opposite. The administration’s narrative of strong leadership on trade isn’t translating into reassurance for everyday Americans, many of whom are feeling the pinch of higher prices and growing uncertainty about the future.
As the president continues to push forward with his trade agenda, the political risks are becoming clearer. Despite Trump’s claims of economic success, Americans appear unconvinced and the numbers are showing it.