Nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump tariffs: POLL

ABC News - Apr 25th, 2025
Open on ABC News

A recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll reveals that 70% of Americans believe President Donald Trump's tariffs on international trade will increase U.S. inflation, overshadowing potential gains in manufacturing employment. The poll indicates a 64% disapproval rate of Trump's handling of the tariff issue, with concerns about inflation spanning across party lines. Notably, 47% of Republicans share these inflation concerns, as do 75% of independents. Despite some positive sentiment—59% think tariffs may boost manufacturing jobs—the overall public sentiment leans negative, with 56% fearing adverse effects on U.S. economic leadership globally.

The tariffs, which are part of Trump's broader economic strategy, have become a contentious topic. The administration's decision to pause some tariffs (excluding those on China) pending negotiations has not alleviated public concern. Democrats largely oppose the tariffs, with 96% disapproving of Trump's approach. The survey reflects a significant dip in Trump's economic approval ratings, particularly among key voter demographics like non-college-educated white men and rural Americans. This discontent highlights the sensitive intersection of economic policy and public opinion, especially with inflation concerns looming large.

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RATING

8.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a well-researched and timely examination of public opinion on President Trump's tariffs, based on data from a reputable poll. It accurately reports public sentiment, offering a balanced view by including perspectives from various political affiliations. The article's reliance on credible sources and clear presentation of data enhance its reliability and readability.

While the article effectively communicates the poll results, it could benefit from additional context or expert analysis to deepen the understanding of the economic implications of tariffs. Overall, the story is informative and relevant, contributing to public discourse on a significant policy issue.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The news story presents data from a poll conducted by ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos, providing specific percentages and demographic breakdowns of public opinion on President Trump's tariffs. The figures, such as 64% disapproval of Trump's handling of tariffs and 70% believing tariffs will increase inflation, are specific and appear to be well-supported by the poll's findings. The story accurately reflects the poll's results, which are cited as being conducted by reputable organizations.

However, while the story accurately reports the poll results, it would benefit from additional context or verification regarding the broader economic claims, such as the impact of tariffs on inflation and manufacturing jobs. These claims could be supported by economic data or expert analysis to bolster the factual accuracy further. Nonetheless, the story's reliance on a well-documented poll lends it a high degree of accuracy in terms of reporting public opinion.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of public opinion by including perspectives from different political affiliations, such as Republicans, Democrats, and independents. It outlines both the negative perceptions of tariffs in terms of inflation and economic leadership, as well as the perceived positive impact on manufacturing jobs.

However, there is a slight imbalance in the presentation of viewpoints, as the story focuses more on the negative aspects of tariffs and the disapproval ratings. While it mentions the positive perception of job creation, this aspect is not explored in as much depth. Including more detailed arguments or data supporting the positive impacts of tariffs would enhance the balance of the article.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical structure that presents the poll results in an easy-to-understand manner. The use of percentages and demographic breakdowns helps clarify the findings for readers.

The language is neutral and straightforward, avoiding jargon or overly complex sentences. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context or explanations for some of the economic terms, such as 'economic leadership,' to ensure all readers fully understand the implications of the findings.

9
Source quality

The article relies on a poll conducted by ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos, which are reputable sources known for their rigorous polling methodologies. The involvement of Langer Research Associates and Ipsos, both respected in the field of public opinion research, further supports the credibility of the data presented.

The article attributes the poll results clearly and provides sufficient detail about the methodology, enhancing the reliability of the information. There are no apparent conflicts of interest or biases in the sources used, which strengthens the overall quality of the sources.

8
Transparency

The article is transparent in its reporting, providing detailed information about the poll's methodology, including the sample size, margin of error, and the dates the poll was conducted. This level of detail allows readers to understand the basis of the claims made in the article.

However, the article could improve transparency by providing more context on how the poll results compare to other similar polls or historical data. This would give readers a clearer picture of how these findings fit into broader trends in public opinion.

Sources

  1. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/thirds-americans-disapprove-trump-tariffs-poll-121168388
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/trump-tariffs-live-updates?id=121015075&entryId=121097533&rand=353
  3. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/trump-tariffs-live-updates?id=121015075&entryId=121101837
  4. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/trump-tariffs-live-updates?id=121015075&entryId=121103373
  5. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/americans-expect-higher-prices-result-trumps-tariffs-new-121116349