U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff strategy is triggering widespread anxiety and resistance globally, with polls indicating mounting disapproval of policies aimed at reviving American manufacturing. The measures, which took effect this week, impose a 10% baseline levy on all imports and up to 49% on targeted economies like the Chinese mainland and Vietnam.
Domestic discontent is surging: A Wall Street Journal survey reveals 54% of Americans oppose the tariffs, while 52% believe the U.S. economy is deteriorating. Trump’s inflation management faces a 15-percentage-point disapproval gap, with consumers bracing for price hikes in essentials, electronics, and home repairs, per a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
European nations are rallying against the measures, with YouGov data showing 56-79% support for retaliation across seven countries, despite fears of economic self-harm. In Germany, 75% expect significant national fallout, a sentiment echoed in Spain (71%), France (70%), and the UK (60%). Market volatility has intensified amid EU and Canadian countermeasures.
Global perceptions of the U.S. are shifting dramatically. Brazil’s Quaest poll shows unfavorable views of Trump doubling since March 2024, while positive opinions of the U.S. dropped 14 points to 44%.
As financial markets weigh the long-term impacts, policymakers and investors face heightened uncertainty over how this transatlantic standoff will reshape trade dynamics.
