Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Trump Tariffs Lose Working-Class Support as Prices Rise
Many working-class Americans once liked tariffs because they thought tariffs could protect American jobs.
Tariffs are fees placed on goods brought in from other countries.
President Donald Trump has used tariffs on goods from several countries, including U.S. allies.
Recent polls show that many Americans now oppose these policies.
People are especially worried because tariffs can make some products more expensive.
Even many people without college degrees say tariffs have hurt their finances.
Supporters argue that tariffs could help American factories and manufacturing.
Critics say the higher prices are happening now, while possible job benefits may take longer or may not appear.
Manufacturing employment is slightly lower than when Trump began his second term.
The main debate is whether future manufacturing gains will be worth today’s higher costs.
A 2025 Chicago Council survey found nearly two-thirds of white Americans without college degrees favored import restrictions to protect U.S. jobs.
Support has declined since President Donald Trump implemented broader tariffs, with 60% opposing tariff increases in a January Pew survey.
An April CNN/SSRS poll found four times as many Americans said tariffs hurt their finances as said they helped.
About 60% of residents in Wisconsin and Ohio opposed the tariffs, while roughly two-thirds or more in Michigan and Maine opposed the latest Canada tariffs.
Manufacturing employment remains slightly below the level when Trump began his second term, leaving voters to weigh possible job gains against higher prices.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, working-class voters, trade-policy analysts, pollsters, and manufacturing workers are central to the story.
- What
- Public support for Trump’s tariffs has declined as voters associate them with higher prices, while supporters continue to argue that tariffs can strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
- When
- The article cites a 2025 Chicago Council survey, January and April polls, and developments during Trump’s second term.
- Where
- The issue is discussed nationally, with polling cited in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and Maine.
- Why
- Many voters are concerned that tariffs are increasing the cost of living, while supporters believe they may protect American jobs and manufacturing.
Tariff Critics
Tariff Supporters
Effect on prices
Tariff Critics
Critics say tariffs are contributing to higher prices at a time when households are already angry about the cost of living.
Tariff Supporters
Supporters argue that short-term costs may be justified if tariffs strengthen domestic production and protect American jobs.
Manufacturing results
Tariff Critics
Critics point to manufacturing employment remaining slightly below its level when Trump began his second term and say the tariffs have not delivered enough benefits.
Tariff Supporters
Supporters, including Alan Tonelson, point to an increase in total manufacturing output during Trump’s second term.
Policy implementation
Tariff Critics
Critics say imposing, removing, and restoring tariffs has created uncertainty and has made the policy harder for voters and businesses to assess.
Tariff Supporters
Supporters favor import restrictions and maintain that tariffs can be an appropriate tool for protecting U.S. manufacturing, even if their benefits are not immediate.
- Pew survey
- Sixty percent of Americans opposed Trump’s tariff increases in January.
- CNN/SSRS poll
- Four times as many Americans said tariffs hurt their personal finances as said they helped in April.
- State polling
- About 60% of residents in Wisconsin and Ohio opposed the tariffs.
- Canada tariffs
- About two-thirds or more of voters in Michigan and Maine said the latest tariffs on Canada were bad for their states.
- Manufacturing employment
- Federal figures cited in the analysis showed 12.638 million manufacturing workers, compared with 12.673 million at the start of Trump’s second term.
- Manufacturing share
- Manufacturing workers account for about 7.5% of all U.S. workers.
- Earlier support
- A 2025 Chicago Council survey found nearly two-thirds of white Americans without college degrees preferred import restrictions to protect U.S. jobs.