A majority of Americans disapprove of Donald Trump’s handling of tariffs on imported goods, according to a new ABC News/The Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted shortly before the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s global tariffs.
The survey took place from February 12 to 17, the court’s decision was issued on February 20.
Large disagreement across demographics
The poll found that majorities across income levels, genders and age groups disapprove of Trump’s approach to tariffs. Majorities of white, black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans also expressed disapproval.
Almost all voters who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 disagree with Trump’s tariff solution. Even the majority of those who did not vote in 2024 disagree.
More than 9 in 10 Americans who disapprove of Trump oppose his handling of the tariffs.
Partisan divide within the GOP
While 75% of Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of the tariffs, support is falling among self-described non-MAGA Republicans — a group that includes independents who lean Republican but don’t identify as MAGA supporters.
Among non-MAGA Republicans, 55% disapprove and 43% approve of Trump’s tariff policy. In contrast, 87% of MAGA Republicans approve of his approach.
The educational divide
Most Americans with and without college degrees disapprove of Trump’s handling of the tariffs. However, white Americans without college degrees are evenly distributed. White Americans with college degrees disapprove by more than two to one.
Methodology
The ABC News–Washington Post–Ipsos poll was conducted by the Ipsos probability-based information panel among 2,589 US adults. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points, with larger variances for partisan subgroups.
