Trump’s favorability is on the decline, as voters in multiple recent polls say they oppose his aggressive tariff plan.
President Trump calls tariffs ‘medicine’ as stock market plunges
President Donald Trump spent the weekend at a golf tournament in Florida as the stock market continued to plunge.
WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are taking a hit amid his tariff-induced trade war and a sinking stock market.
Multiple polls published over the last week found that less than half of Americans approved of the president, with most pointing to Trump’s handling of the economy as the reason for their gripes.
Last Wednesday, Trump announced 10% tariffs on imports from all countries starting over the weekend, along with additional, steeper duties on dozens of countries that he alleges have treated the U.S. unfairly in trade. Those reciprocal tariffs are set to go into effect Wednesday.
His aggressive and sweeping tariffs have sparked a global trade war and sunk U.S. stocks.
As economic conditions appear to worsen, opinions of Trump are slipping slightly.
In a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week, the president’s approval rating fell to 43%, down 4 points from a similar survey back when he took office in January. The poll this month was conducted over three days, concluding on the day of Trump’s tariffs announcement, or what he has referred to as “Liberation Day.”
Voters surveyed docked Trump for his handling of the economy and efforts to address the high cost of living. Just over half of those polled said increasing tariffs would do more harm than good.
Another poll, published by the Wall Street Journal Friday, also found Trump on the back foot with a 46% approval rating. In the survey − which was conducted before the president officially unveiled his sweeping tariffs but after he had repeatedly promised to impose the trade taxes − 54% of voters said they were opposed to Trump’s levies.
Polls that are friendly to conservatives reflect waning favorability as well. Rasmussen Reports, a right-leaning polling firm, reported Monday that 48% of likely American voters approve of Trump’s performance, according to its daily presidential tracking poll.
Thursday marked the first time during his second term that Trump’s favorability had dipped below 50% in the daily poll.
Contributing: Jason Lange, Reuters