Mixed reactions to Trump's China tariffs as skepticism grows
According to the latest report published by the Pew Research Center, Americans express mixed or predominantly negative opinions on the economic aspects of President Donald Trump's foreign policy. What do they think about tariffs on China?
Increasing tariff rates on China have been met with a lukewarm reception from U.S. residents. A survey by the Pew Research Center, one of the most renowned American institutions, shows that about half of Americans (52%) predict that tariffs imposed on Chinese goods will have a negative impact on the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, only 24% believe they will be beneficial. The remaining respondents are either unsure (19%) or believe they will have no impact (6%).
Regarding personal financial situations, the results are even more clear-cut. More than half of those surveyed (53%) said that the increased tariffs on Chinese products will harm them personally, and only 10% expect to benefit. About 17% of respondents believe these changes will have no impact on them, and 20% have no opinion on the matter. It should be noted that the Pew Research Center survey was conducted from March 24 to 30, when the tariffs on Beijing were not as high as they are currently (about 150%).
The viewpoint depends on political affiliation
Attitudes towards Trump's tariff policy vary significantly depending on the party affiliation of the respondents. Republicans and those with right-wing views are more likely than Democrats to see increased tariffs on goods from China as beneficial for the U.S. economy (44% compared to 5%). Right-wing voters are also more inclined to express uncertainty about the effects of this policy (24% compared to 11%) and are slightly more likely to believe it will have no real impact (8% compared to 3%).
On the other hand, Democrats are fairly unanimous in their assessment that increased tariffs on Chinese products will harm the U.S. economy, with as many as 80% holding this view. Among Republicans, opinions are more varied, although even among them, more people predict negative effects than positive ones.
Interestingly, even though Republicans are more likely than Democrats to express positive opinions about the tariffs (17% compared to 4%), overall Trump voters more often claim that the increased tariffs on China will have a negative impact on their personal financial situation than they will benefit from them (30% compared to 17%). About half of Republicans believe the tariffs will have no real impact on them (27%) or are unsure of their effects (26%).
The vast majority of Democrats, however, are convinced that the tariffs will harm them personally, with 75% saying so. The rest are either unsure (13%) or predict no impact (8%), and only 4% believe the tariffs will be beneficial to them.
Generational differences in views on tariff policy
The Pew Research Center survey also shows significant differences in the assessment of tariff policy depending on the age of the respondents. Americans under the age of 30 are more sceptical of the potential benefits of tariffs than older citizens.
Among Republicans, younger voters (under 50) are more likely than older ones to believe that the tariffs will have a negative impact on their personal financial situation (36% compared to 23%). This data suggests that even among supporters of the ruling party, there is significant scepticism about the benefits of Trump's trade policy, particularly among the younger generation.
In the case of Democrats, age does not significantly affect opinions on the personal effects of tariffs - negative attitudes dominate across all age groups.
Uncertainty is growing
The authors of the Pew Research Center report emphasise that uncertainty about the effects of economic policy is one of the dominant feelings among the American public. About one-fifth of Americans are unsure of the potential impact of increased tariffs both on the national economy and on their personal financial situations. This uncertainty is particularly evident among Republicans, where nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) cannot clearly define how the tariffs will affect the U.S. economy.
The survey also shows that concerns about Trump's tariff policy relate not only to potential damage to the entire economy but especially to the consequences for the household budgets of ordinary citizens. The administration's economic policy remains, therefore, one of the more controversial elements of the president's actions on the international stage.
Other aspects of U.S. policy. "Favours Russia"
Americans also evaluated other aspects of President Trump's foreign policy. According to the Pew Research Center survey, 43% of respondents think that Trump favours Russia in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, while 31% believe he maintains the proper balance.
Concerning relations with Israel and the Palestinians, opinions are more divided - 31% of those surveyed view Trump's policy as too favourable to Israel, while 29% believe he maintains an appropriate balance. Proposals regarding U.S. acquisition of Greenland and Gaza also stir controversy - the majority of Americans oppose these ideas (54% and 62%, respectively), although among Republicans, support for acquiring Greenland reaches 41%.
The survey was conducted with a group of 3,605 adults from March 24 to 30, 2025.
