Americans divided over impact of Trump's tariffs on China
According to the latest report published by the Pew Research Center, Americans express mixed or mostly negative opinions about the economic aspects of President Donald Trump's foreign policy. But what do they think about tariffs on China?
The increasing tariff rates on China have been met with a lukewarm reception from U.S. residents. A survey by the Pew Research Center, a highly recognized American research institute, shows that about half of Americans (52%) believe that tariffs imposed on Chinese goods will negatively impact the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, only 24% expect them to be beneficial. The remaining respondents are either unsure (19%) or believe they will have no impact (6%).
When it comes to personal financial situations, the results are even more clear-cut. More than half of those surveyed (53%) say that increased tariffs on Chinese products will harm them personally, and only 10% anticipate any benefit. Approximately 17% believe these changes will have no impact on them, and 20% have no formed opinion. It should be noted that the Pew Research Center survey was conducted from March 24 to 30, when the tariffs on Beijing were not as high as the current rate of 145%.
The viewpoint depends on political affiliation
Attitudes toward Trump's tariff policy vary significantly depending on respondents' party affiliations. Republicans and those with right-wing views are more likely than Democrats to see increased tariffs on goods from China as beneficial for the U.S. economy (44% compared to 5%). Right-wing voters are also more likely to express uncertainty about the effects of this policy (24% compared to 11%) and are slightly more inclined to believe it will have no real impact (8% compared to 3%).
On the other hand, Democrats are nearly unanimous in their assessment that increased tariffs on Chinese products will harm the U.S. economy—80% believe so. Among Republicans, opinions are more diverse, though even here, more people predict negative effects than positive ones.
Interestingly, although Republicans are more likely than Democrats to express positive opinions about the tariffs (17% compared to 4%), overall, Trump voters more often say that the increased tariffs on China will have a negative impact on their personal financial situation than they will benefit (30% compared to 17%). About half of Republicans say the tariffs will have no real impact on them (27%) or are unsure of their effects (26%).
The vast majority of Democrats, however, are convinced that the tariffs will harm them personally—75% say so. The rest are either unsure (13%) or foresee no impact (8%), while only 4% believe they will be beneficial.
Generational differences in views on tariff policy
The Pew Research Center survey also reveals significant differences in the assessment of tariff policy depending on respondents' ages. Americans under 30 are more skeptical of the potential benefits of tariffs than older citizens.
Among Republicans, younger voters (under 50) are more likely than older ones to believe that the tariffs will negatively affect their personal financial situation (36% compared to 23%). This data suggests that even among supporters of the ruling party, there is significant skepticism about the benefits of Trump's trade policy, particularly among the younger generation.
In contrast, among Democrats, age does not significantly change opinions on the personal effects of tariffs—negative attitudes dominate across all age groups.
Uncertainty is growing
The authors of the Pew Research Center report emphasize that uncertainty about the effects of economic policy is one of the dominant sentiments among the American public. About one-fifth of Americans are unsure about the potential impact of increased tariffs on both the national economy and their personal financial situations. This uncertainty is particularly pronounced among Republicans, where nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) cannot clearly define how the tariffs will affect the U.S. economy.
The survey also indicates that concerns about Trump's tariff policy extend not only to potential harm to the overall economy but especially to the consequences it could have on household budgets. The administration's economic policy remains, therefore, one of the more controversial elements of the president's international actions.
Other aspects of U.S. policy: "Favors Russia"
Americans also evaluated other aspects of President Trump's foreign policy. According to the Pew Research Center survey, 43% of respondents think that Trump favors Russia in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, while 31% believe he maintains a proper balance.
Regarding relations with Israel and the Palestinians, opinions are more divided—31% of those surveyed view Trump's policy as too favorable to Israel, while 29% believe he maintains an appropriate balance. Proposals regarding U.S. acquisition of Greenland and Gaza also stir controversy—the majority of Americans oppose these ideas (54% and 62%, respectively), although among Republicans, support for acquiring Greenland reaches 41%.
The survey was conducted with a group of 3,605 adults from March 24 to 30, 2025.
