Stories
Trump Faces Growing Backlash Over Tariffs Ahead of 2026 Midterms
- •A poll reveals 64 percent of US adults believe Trump has gone too far with import duties, up from 58 percent in January.
- •About 65 percent of Americans attribute higher-than-usual prices directly to Trump's economic policies as living costs remain a key concern.
- •US consumer prices rose 3.7 percent year-on-year in September, driven partly by a 7.1 percent increase in monthly gasoline prices.
- •While Trump defends tariffs as a way to protect domestic industries, the strategy poses a significant political challenge for Republicans ahead of the November 3 elections.
Key Questions Answered
An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in September found that 64% of US adults believed President Donald Trump had gone too far with his import tariffs, increasing from 58% in January. Additionally, 65% of Americans attributed higher-than-usual prices directly to Trump's policies rather than external factors.
Tariffs act as taxes on imported goods paid by US importers, expenses that businesses either absorb, pass on via higher prices, or manage by changing supply chains. Research indicates foreign exporters have generally not lowered their prices enough to offset these added costs, resulting in the burden falling heavily on American consumers and enterprises.
The White House argues that tariffs protect domestic industries, encourage manufacturing within the United States, and counter unfair trade practices by foreign countries. The administration highlights long-term goals such as increased manufacturing investments and job creation to justify the measures, despite immediate cost pressures on households.
