65% of Americans Trust Trump's Economic Policies... Tariffs, Not So Much

CNN, CNBC Poll
More Than Half of Americans Are 'Optimistic' About Trump's Second Term

More than half of the American public are optimistic about the Donald Trump administration set to take office in January next year. In particular, trust in Trump’s economic, Ukraine war, and immigration policies stood out. However, skepticism prevailed regarding his key pledge to raise tariffs.

According to a poll conducted by CNN and polling firm SSRS from December 5 to 8 (local time) surveying about 1,000 American adults and released on the 15th (margin of error ±3.8 percentage points), 52% of respondents described their outlook on the upcoming Trump administration as "enthusiastic" or "optimistic." During the same period, a CNBC poll (margin of error ±3.1 percentage points) found that 54% of respondents said they were "comfortable and ready to support" Trump’s second term.

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This optimism toward the Trump administration is interpreted as stemming from expectations of economic improvement. A woman in her 20s living in New Jersey said, "I don’t agree with many of the things Trump has said and done, but as someone who recently entered the job market after graduating from college, something needed to change," adding, "Life hasn’t been the same since the pandemic. I hope he revitalizes the economy and reminds America of its true values."

Americans’ expectations for the Trump administration were not limited to economic policy. While 65% of respondents expressed "trust" in Trump’s economic policies, 62% also said they "very much" or "somewhat" trust his handling of the Ukraine war. Immigration policy (60%), genuine national leadership (59%), foreign policy (55%), responsible exercise of presidential powers (54%), and administration appointments (54%) also received positive trust ratings from more than half of respondents.

However, doubts remain about Trump’s key pledge to "raise tariffs." In the CNBC poll, 42% opposed tariff increases, while only 27% supported them. Regarding Trump’s announcement that he would pardon those involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot shortly after taking office, only 26% supported the move, while 50% opposed it.

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CNBC noted, "While the majority of Americans are optimistic about Trump’s second term, signaling a green light for the next administration, warning signs have been lit on some issues," pointing out that tariff increases and pardons related to the Capitol riot could hamper the Trump administration. If Trump follows through on raising tariffs and implementing tax cuts as promised, it could fuel inflation and undermine the positive expectations surrounding his economic policies. Relatedly, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that corporate executives are lobbying desperately to soften or withdraw tariff hikes, but Trump remains unmoved.

CNN also highlighted that 48% of respondents described the Trump administration as "pessimistic" or "anxious," indicating a significant level of concern, explaining that "the American public is deeply divided." CNBC similarly assessed that "American outlooks on Trump’s second term are more polarized than during his first."