AP Poll: 42% Support Overall Job Performance
49% Approval for Immigration Policy
On April 2 (local time), ahead of the mutually imposed tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump had dubbed "America Liberation Day," a public opinion poll showed relatively low support for the Trump administration's tariff-related policies.
According to a survey conducted by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center (NORC) from March 20 to 24, involving 1,229 adult men and women and released on the 31st, 42% said they "support" President Trump's overall job performance, while 56% said they "do not support" it.
Regarding the economy, 40% said they "support" while 58% said they "do not support," and on "trade negotiations with other countries," 38% expressed support and 60% did not. Notably, among independent respondents, 64% and 68% respectively said they "do not support" Trump's overall economic management and trade negotiations with other countries.
President Trump announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum (effective March 12) and on automobiles and related parts (scheduled to take effect April 3), and is set to announce "reciprocal tariffs" on April 2, which will be determined by considering the tariff rates and non-tariff barriers imposed by trade partners on the U.S. The Trump administration remains optimistic about the impact of tariffs on prices and the economy, but the public opinion poll reveals concerns about this.
The AP interpreted the evaluations of tariffs and the economy as warning signs for the Trump administration, stating, "The threat of imposing tariffs suggests the possibility of losing an advantage on another key issue central to winning the 2024 election." It also pointed out, "Although economic issues may not be as starkly visible as trade negotiations, relatively low ratings could become a problem for President Trump going forward. The economy was an area where Americans frequently gave Trump positive evaluations during his first term. Inflation and economic growth were major motivating factors for Trump's election."
Additionally, President Trump received slightly lower support in the areas of Social Security (support 41% - oppose 56%) and the Russia-Ukraine war (support 41% - oppose 56%) compared to his overall job approval.
On the other hand, regarding immigration policy, the proportion of respondents who "support" was 49%, nearly equal to those who "do not support" at 50%.
Although positive responses were fewer than negative ones in government spending (support 46% - oppose 51%), the Gaza war (support 44% - oppose 54%), and federal government management (support 43% - oppose 55%), these areas received higher scores than the overall evaluation of the administration.
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