A new AP-NORC poll finds growing concern among Americans about the economic effects of President Trump’s tariff policies.
Roughly half of those surveyed say they expect tariffs to lead to noticeably higher prices for goods, and about half express worry that tariffs could trigger a recession. These concerns reflect uncertainty about how trade measures will ripple through the economy and household budgets.
President Trump’s approval rating on economic management remains near 40 percent, but public skepticism toward tariffs has ticked up modestly since January. Voters appear more cautious about trade policy even as they continue to evaluate the broader economic picture.
The economy presents mixed signals. Employment remains relatively strong, with steady job numbers, while consumer confidence has slipped in recent months. That combination leaves many Americans watching closely to see whether tariffs will push prices up, slow growth, or reshape economic prospects for consumers and businesses.
For households, the immediate concern is everyday costs: higher prices for imported goods, supplies, and components can increase the price of finished products. For businesses, tariffs can raise production costs and prompt shifts in supply chains that may lead to reduced investment or pass-through price increases. Both channels are contributing to public anxiety captured in the poll.
Political responses vary. Supporters of tariffs argue they protect domestic industries and jobs, while critics warn that tariffs often produce higher costs for consumers and can invite retaliatory measures from trading partners. The AP-NORC results suggest that a rising share of Americans are weighing those trade-offs more skeptically than earlier in the year.
Economic indicators will likely shape public opinion as the effects of tariffs unfold. If employment and incomes hold steady while price increases remain moderate, concern may ease. Conversely, if prices rise noticeably or growth slows, public unease could grow and further influence perceptions of the administration’s economic stewardship.
In short, the poll shows a nation split between steady labor markets and rising worries about cost pressures and recession risk tied to trade policy—an environment in which many Americans are watching closely for tangible signs of how tariffs affect their daily lives.