Poll: Majority of Americans find Trump's economic moves too unpredictable

A Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that 57% of Americans believe President Donald Trump’s approach to reshaping the U.S. economy is overly erratic.

The poll’s findings come as Trump's recent imposition of tariffs on allies like Canada and Mexico has contributed to significant market volatility. With the S&P 500 losing over $3 trillion in value from its recent peak, many respondents worry that these policy shifts could lead to higher everyday costs. In fact, 70% of those surveyed—nine in ten Democrats and six in ten Republicans—expect that increased tariffs will drive up the prices of groceries and other essentials.

Despite the widespread apprehension, Americans still want Trump to prioritize efforts to combat high prices. However, the poll suggests a disconnect between this priority and the administration’s unpredictable moves. Overall, 44% of respondents approved of Trump's job performance, a figure that remained unchanged from an earlier Reuters/Ipsos survey, while only 32% expressed satisfaction with his handling of the cost-of-living crisis.

Political reactions to the poll are mixed. Some Republicans on Capitol Hill, like Senator Roger Marshall, remain optimistic about the long-term benefits of Trump's policies, arguing that the stock market is only one piece of the broader economic picture. In contrast, critics—including advocacy group Americans for Responsible Growth—decry the administration's strategy as "chaotic," warning that it could leave consumers and businesses grappling with higher prices, fewer choices, and mounting uncertainty.

The poll also sheds light on partisan divides regarding the future impact of Trump's policies. Nearly 80% of Republicans agreed that his economic actions would eventually pay off, while only 41% of the overall respondents shared that optimism—a stark contrast to the mere 5% of Democrats who believe the policies will be beneficial in the long run.

With inflation remaining a top concern for six out of ten respondents, the survey underscores the critical pressure on the president to stabilize the economy. As market jitters persist and the debate over trade policies continues, the poll reflects growing public unease about the direction of U.S. economic policy under Trump.

Tags

USA Polls Trump