CNBC Survey: 49% of Americans Oppose Across-the-Board Tariffs, Cite Job and Inflation Concerns

Public Opinion on Tariffs

• 📊 A plurality of Americans, 49%, believe that across-the-board tariffs are a bad idea, with a significant portion (45%) feeling strongly about this stance.
• 📉 Conversely, 35% of respondents support tariffs, and 15% remain undecided, indicating a potential opening for the president to influence public opinion.
• 🎯 The survey highlights demographic divides, with Democrats, black Americans, young people (18-34), and urban dwellers being the most negative, while Republicans, rural Americans, those earning over $100,000, and men aged 50+ are more positive.

Perceived Economic Impacts of Tariffs

• 💼 Majorities believe tariffs negatively impact importers, the cost of everyday goods, the overall economy, and workers.
• 📈 However, by a margin of 51% to 37%, Americans think tariffs benefit companies producing goods within the U.S.
• 🌍 The public largely views allies like Mexico, Japan, Canada, the EU, and the UK as economic opportunities rather than threats, with only China being seen as a threat by a modest margin.

Political and Federal Reserve Dynamics

• 🗣️ The president's base shows less support for tariffs compared to his overall approval ratings, with Democrats overwhelmingly disapproving and independents opposing them by a 2-to-1 margin.
• 🏛️ Some Republicans are willing to give the president's tariff policies time to work, expecting effects over a year or longer, while Democrats and independents are less patient.
• 📉 The discussion touches on the Federal Reserve, with concerns about its ability to look forward versus backward, and the impact of a weakening dollar against the euro and yen, which exacerbates inflationary pressures from tariffs.