Poll: 50% of Trump Voters Doubt His Tariffs Amid Rising Prices

- Waning support for Trump’s tariffs among his voter base highlighted in new poll. - Tariff-related price hikes create risk for Republicans ahead of 2026 midterms. A new POLITICO/Public First poll shows that former President Donald Trump's supporters are increasingly concerned about his tariff policies on Chinese goods. This growing unease presents a political risk for the Republican Party heading into the 2026 midterm elections, as the survey connects this declining support to the tariffs' economic impact, especially the rising cost of consumer goods. On July 12, 2025, POLITICO reported the poll's findings. The poll, which surveyed 2,276 U.S. adults between June 10 and 20, revealed significant reservations among Trump supporters about the effectiveness of his trade policies. Just 50% of Trump’s 2024 voters believe the tariffs on China benefit American businesses, while the rest view them as harmful, ineffective, or remain uncertain about their impact. This erosion of confidence within the Republican voter base reflects mounting unease over the financial consequences of the trade measures. The poll also reveals that support for the tariffs drops significantly when Trump voters consider higher consumer expenses. Only 46% back the tariffs if they result in increased costs, while 32% condition their support on price stability. Most of Trump’s base appears unwilling to shoulder the additional burden, which suggests a potential political vulnerability for Trump and the Republican Party. Economic data backs these concerns. The poll notes that after the first round of tariffs, prices for major appliances rose 4% between April and May 2025. The poll also highlights additional price hikes on retail goods like footwear and toys, and these rising consumer costs appear to drive the declining support for Trump’s trade strategy among his voter base. Internal divisions among Trump supporters over tariff policies further complicate the picture. While 45% believe the president should have sole authority to impose tariffs, 44% prefer Congressional involvement. This split highlights a lack of consensus on trade policy within the Republican Party and creates another hurdle for unity ahead of the midterms. Despite reduced backing for his tariff strategy, a slim majority of Trump voters—55%—remain confident in his ability to negotiate a favorable trade deal with China. However, 25% of his supporters now echo broader concerns that the tariffs harm U.S. trade negotiations. This sentiment reflects the Republican Party’s ongoing struggle to balance trade policy with economic priorities, which underscores its potential vulnerabilities heading into the 2026 election cycle.