In Washington, confidence in President Donald Trump’s ability to manage the U.S. economy appears to be wavering, as evidenced by a new survey revealing that many Americans fear an impending recession. They also express concern that the president’s inconsistent enforcement of tariffs may lead to increased prices.
According to findings from a poll conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, around half of American adults anticipate that Trump’s trade policies will significantly raise prices, with three in ten expecting a moderate price increase. Additionally, about half of the population is highly worried about the potential onset of a recession in the coming months.
Although doubts about tariffs are growing, this doesn’t imply an outright rejection of Trump’s trade strategies. Nonetheless, this skepticism poses challenges for a president who pledged a swift resolution to inflation issues.
Entering the third month of his second term, Trump’s approach to the economy and tariffs highlights a potential weakness. Only four out of ten Americans approve of the president’s handling of the economy and trade talks, a figure consistent with a poll taken in March.
Matthew Wood, a 41-year-old from West Liberty, Kentucky, expresses unease regarding the tariffs, despite his employment status remaining unaffected thus far. “I’m not a huge fan of it,” Wood remarks, noting his apprehension about negotiations, especially involving major world powers like China. Initially a Trump voter, Wood switched his registration to independent, influenced by his disillusionment with Trump’s attitude and the undue influence he perceived from adviser Elon Musk. Wood is prepared to withhold judgment until the end of the year to assess the impact of the tariffs.
Meanwhile, a slight majority of Americans, about 52%, oppose imposing tariffs on all imports, a slight increase from the 46% reported in January. This shift appears to be driven in part by younger adults previously undecided on the matter.
Supporters like Janice Manis, a 63-year-old from Texas, criticize Trump for the temporary suspension of tariffs, blaming the move for allowing countries like China to sway international opinion against the U.S. In hindsight, she believes that maintaining the tariffs could have pressured other nations economically.
As Trump’s presidency progresses, the general population is bracing for potential economic disruptions impacting individual spending, working, and living situations. Despite a momentarily stable economy characterized by moderate inflation and a healthy unemployment rate of 4.2%, consumer confidence has sharply declined.
Through executive actions, Trump aims to reshape the global economic landscape by introducing new import taxes, albeit some remain partially suspended. He has instigated a comprehensive trade conflict with China while seeking temporary tariff settlements with other nations, market observers note.
Despite presidential assurances, many Americans are unconvinced. The poll indicates that six in ten believe Trump has overreached with tariff implementations. Subsequently, economic uncertainty prevails as stock markets dip, and rising interest rates complicate loan repayments for mortgages, cars, and student debts. As a result, company executives are revising earnings forecasts and seeking tariff exemptions, even affecting allied partners like Canada.
Concerns about rising grocery and essential goods prices are widespread, with approximately six in ten Americans worried about increasing costs over the coming months. About half express substantial fears regarding major expenses, such as vehicles or appliances. This continued anxiety reflects the public’s cautious optimism about the economy’s current resilience.
Nicole Jones, a 32-year-old occupational therapy student from Florida, describes the tariff conflict as detrimental worldwide, criticizing it as a losing scenario for all involved. Financial concerns haunt Jones, who fears the educational debt and potential loss of financial aid, alongside market cost increases.
Overall, Americans retain a pessimistic view of the national economy’s health, albeit with partisan differences. Republicans, who once critiqued the economy under former President Biden, now express renewed confidence. Conversely, Democrats have grown more skeptical about the country’s fiscal future, a sentiment echoed by the likes of Jones. Describing pre-Trump economic policies, she reflects, “It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but we were doing fine.”
The AP-NORC Center’s survey of 1,260 adults conducted between April 17-21 provides these insights, drawn from a representative national sample. The overall margin of error is 3.9 percentage points.