A recent poll reveals that President Trump’s emphasis on implementing tariffs on a wide range of imports is facing disapproval from a majority of Americans, who believe he should prioritize lowering everyday prices instead. Despite concerns regarding the tariff strategy, Trump’s overall approval rating stands at 50%, with significant backing for his strict stance on immigration, as per a CBS/YouGov survey. The poll suggests that while most voters attribute inflation to former President Joe Biden, 55% feel that Trump is overly focused on tariffs, while only 38% agree with his approach of taxing imports.
In contrast, 64% of respondents in the poll opined that Trump is not giving enough attention to reducing prices, compared to 31% who feel he is adequately addressing the issue. Additionally, the survey indicates that a majority of Americans (52%) no longer approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, a domain where he previously enjoyed strong support. Recent inflation data shows that prices have risen by over 23% from pre-pandemic levels, despite a notable decrease since 2022.
Critics argue that the tariffs could lead to increased costs for everyday goods and services. Notably, core inflation in February surpassed analysts’ expectations, registering a 2.8% year-over-year increase, with prices rising by 0.4% compared to the previous month. Trump has highlighted his success in reducing egg prices, which had surged in January due to the bird flu outbreak, with prices dropping to $3 per dozen last week according to US Department of Agriculture data.
While Trump boasts of lowering egg prices, he has been utilizing emergency presidential powers to impose broad tariffs on the top three US trading partners, aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing. This includes a 25% blanket tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, with temporary exemptions granted on a monthly basis, and a 20% tariff on goods from China. The recent announcement of a 25% tariff on foreign-made cars and parts could lead to significant price hikes in the short term, potentially adding up to $10,000 to the cost of new vehicles.
Trump is expected to introduce further tariffs on April 2 as part of his “Liberation Day” initiative, imposing reciprocal duties on imports in order to shield American manufacturers. While he frames these measures as short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits, critics fear that escalating tariffs may trigger a trade war with retaliatory actions affecting global commerce. Despite differing opinions on who bears the primary responsibility for elevated prices, a plurality of 38% attribute the situation to Biden, while 34% point to Trump, and 19% assign blame elsewhere.
According to a recent CBS poll, Trump’s favorability ratings vary across different areas. One significant area where he is popular among Americans is his handling of border issues. The poll indicates that 53% of US adults approve of his immigration policies, compared to 47% who disapprove. In contrast, his approval ratings on the economy stand at 48% to 52%, and on inflation at 44% to 56%.
During his campaign, Trump focused on combating illegal immigration, and he has taken strong actions against criminal organizations. For instance, he utilized the Alien Enemies Act from the 18th century to deport Venezuelan gang members to a prison in El Salvador known for its harsh conditions. As a result, illegal border crossings have significantly decreased. In February, there were only 29,000 encounters with illegal immigrants near the border, a sharp decline from the 256,000 encounters in February 2024, according to data from US Customs and Border Patrol.
Overall, the poll found that 58% of Americans support Trump’s deportation policies, while 42% disapprove. The survey, conducted by CBS/YouGov on March 27 and 28, involved 2,609 US adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.
