More than half of respondents in the CBS poll rated the U.S. economy as fairly bad or very bad, while 53% said the economy is getting worse.
Trump’s tariffs now spare some electronics, including smartphones
President Trump exempted smartphones, computers and other electronic imports from his reciprocal tariffs.
- Some 44% approved of Trump’s handling of the economy and 40% approved of his handling of inflation, both down 4% from March 30, the poll found.
- 58% of respondents said the president’s policies are driving up prices and 18% said they believe his decisions will bring costs down.
- “We are doing really well on our TARIFF POLICY. Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday.
President Donald Trump’s approval ratings on the economy and inflation have fallen after weeks of tariff policy twists and turmoil in the stock market, according to a new poll released Sunday.
The CBS News survey of 2,410 Americans found 44% approved of Trump’s handling of the economy and 40% approved of his handling of inflation, both down 4% from March 30. The president’s overall approval rating dropped to 47% this month, down from 50% in March and 53% in February.
Views on Trump’s tariff plans varied depending on respondents’ political affiliations. At 91%, nearly all Republicans said Trump has a clear plan on tariffs and trade. Only 43% of independents and 16% of Democrats said the same. In all, 58% of respondents said they oppose new U.S. tariffs on imported goods.
Participants were surveyed from April 8 through 11. On April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause on “reciprocal tariffs,” lowering the levy to 10% for goods coming from most countries, with a notable exception.
U.S. tariffs on goods imported from China currently total 145% as a trade war between the two countries escalates. But on Friday, Trump announced that imported smartphones, computers, and electronics would be exempt, at least for now.
“We are doing really well on our TARIFF POLICY. Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday.
According to the poll, 51% of Americans like Trump’s goals when it comes to tariffs and trade, but only 37% approve of his approach.
At 59%, more than half of respondents rated the state of the U.S. economy as either fairly bad or very bad and 53% said they feel the economy is getting worse. When asked about the direct impact of Trump’s policies, 49% reported they were making them financially worse off while 21% said his decisions were making them financially better off.
When it comes to groceries, 58% said the president’s policies are driving up prices and 18% said they believe his decisions will bring costs down. At 62%, a majority agreed they are making the stock market go down.
After losing trillions following Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” announcement, the stock market fell and rose in reaction to declining consumer sentiment and the 90-day pause last week. Major U.S. indexes ended higher on Friday.
Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com and follow her on X @rachelbarber_
