Nationwide poll finds Americans oppose tariffs, want Congress to step up and stop more economic fallout from Trump’s trade policies

A growing majority of Americans are unhappy with US president Donald Trump's tariff policies and want Congress to step in to limit the power of presidents to impose current and future tariffs, revealed a new poll.

The survey, conducted by CBS News/YouGov from April 8 to April 11, found that 58% of Americans are against the tariffs put in place by the Trump administration, compared to 42% who are in favour, reported Truthout. This comes as further anger builds over how these tariffs have affected ordinary Americans, especially their wallets.

Americans Feel the Pinch at the Grocery Store and in Their Wallets

According to the survey, most Americans feel the tariffs are increasing the cost of living. Roughly 58% of the respondents said that Trump's policies are causing grocery prices to rise, while 62% said that Trump's economic policies have harmed the stock market, according to Truthout. Additionally, nearly half of those polled, 49%, say they will be financially worse off due to Trump's economic actions, as per the Truthout report.


Now, only 21% believe the president's policies will positively impact their bank balances, as per the report. Increased pressure is building on Congress to regain control and ensure greater transparency regarding presidential tariffs.

Responding to these issues, support grows for a bill submitted by senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) putting a legislative limit on presidential orders of tariffs, according to Truthout. The bill insists that presidents give written justifications for new tariffs and that Congress has two months to study and possibly reject new tariff decisions, as per the report.

The Perceived Beneficiaries: Affluent Americans, Not the Working Class

The survey also sheds light on who Trump's tariff policies are benefiting. While 58% of respondents think that working and middle-class Americans aren't gaining from the tariffs, 74% suspect that wealthier Americans are the beneficiaries of the trade policies, according to Truthout. This divergence has led to greater demands for reform, with over half of Americans, 53%, calling on Congress to step in and limit or stop the tariffs entirely, as per the report.

FAQs

What did the recent CBS News/YouGov poll reveal?
The poll found that 58% of Americans oppose Trump’s tariffs, while only 42% support them, as per Truthout.

Are grocery prices really rising because of tariffs?
Yes, 58% of those polled believe Trump’s policies are causing grocery prices to rise and that’s making it harder for many families to manage their budgets.