US opinion opposes the administration's tariff policies
It is for these reasons that numerous opinion polls already show Americans oppose tariffs. In June, when tariffs were first introduced on steel and aluminium, US polling company Morning Consult already found that Americans rightly identified tariffs as leading to price rises.
When asked the question "do you think that raising tariffs on aluminum and steel imports will make those materials more expensive, less expensive, or not make much of a difference either way for U.S. businesses?" 59% believed the tariffs would make products more expensive compared to 6% who believed they would make them less expensive.
The poll found the US population believed the tariff would damage US consumers. Asked: "Do you think that raising tariffs on aluminium and steel imports will help or hurt...U.S. consumers?" only 29% believed they would help consumer's interests while 50% believed they would hurt them.
The same poll found that 54% of Americans agreed with the statement:"Government should pursue more free-trade agreements to open additional markets to American-made goods and services" whereas only 22% agreed:"Government should pursue tariffs and other barriers against competing products from other countries."
Opinion has not changed since then. A recent poll by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies for NBC/Wall Street Journal asking do you approve or disapprove of President Trump's "handling trade between the United States and foreign countries" found 45% disapproved compared to only 38% who approved.
The reason is simple. Even if they have not seen all the details of economic studies US families know tariffs will lead to price rises. They would rightly rather have $850 to spend on themselves than to give it to the US tax service.
