Donald Trump has spent over a month threatening significant tariffs on the United States’ two largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico. Now, it appears that the moment of truth has arrived.
The president risks economic fallout as his broad tariffs, which also target China, could drive up costs for businesses and consumers in the coming months. This could harm the U.S. economy—an issue that remains the top priority for American voters.
Last November, inflation and the economy ranked as voters’ primary concerns—issues Trump vowed to tackle as he made his return to the White House, fueled in part by lingering frustration over soaring prices during the early Biden years.
Trump has successfully delivered on several key campaign promises, including cutting federal jobs, intensifying immigration enforcement, and affirming a traditional definition of gender.
However, on inflation, his administration has made little tangible progress. Persistently high egg prices have become a daily frustration. While the mass culling of chickens due to bird flu has played a major role, the rising cost of this household staple has kept inflation at the forefront of voters’ concerns.
On Monday, Trump confirmed that 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican-made goods would go into effect, triggering the largest drop in U.S. stock markets this year. The sharp decline signaled early concerns about the economic turbulence his policies may unleash.
Americans could feel the impact most directly at the grocery store, as tariffs on Mexican food imports threaten to drive up everyday prices.
A CBS poll conducted last week found that 82% of Americans believe the economy should be a “high” priority for the president. In contrast, only 30% said the same about tariffs.
When asked about Trump’s focus, only 36% felt he was prioritizing the economy “a lot,” compared to 68% who said the same about tariffs. Just 29% thought he was giving inflation enough attention. Overall, public sentiment about the economy remains bleak, with 60% describing it as “bad,” slightly worse than the 58% who held that view last year.
Trump’s approval on economic management stands at 51%, matching his overall job rating. This suggests that, like his predecessors, his presidency’s success may ultimately depend on the economy’s strength.
According to Clifford Young, president of public affairs at polling firm Ipsos, Trump is still in the honeymoon phase of his presidency, giving him some political
leeway—for now.
