Polling News

The Tough Tariff Terrain

September 11, 2025

The latest CBS News/YouGov poll found that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are still in bumpy political terrain. Only his hard core base supports them.

By The Numbers: 

  • Only 38% of Americans said they favor new U.S. tariffs on imported goods while 62% oppose. That’s down from 41% favor/59% oppose in June.
     

  • Thirty-nine percent of adults said they have bought fewer things because of tariffs, while only 6% said they have bought more and 55% said no change. 
     

  • While 70% of Republicans said Americans should be willing to pay more to support Trump’s trade policies, just 29% of Independents and 6% of Democrats agree. 

The Bottom Line: Republican messaging on tariffs has been muddled at best. Republicans must refine the message now and win over more of the middle on tariffs now before the issue weighs down candidates up and down the ballot in next year’s midterms.

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