The debate over tariffs has been a contentious issue in American politics, with the Trump administration doubling down on its trade policies despite growing concerns over their impact on the economy. According to an exclusive new poll for The Guardian, seven in ten Americans believe that Donald Trump's tariffs have led to higher prices, with the majority of voters across party lines expressing negative views on the policy.
The Harris Poll survey, conducted at the end of February, presents a challenge for Republicans ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, as voters are increasingly feeling the pinch of higher prices. The majority of all voters, 72%, believe that Trump's tariffs have had a negative rather than a positive impact, while 67% say that tariffs are not the right solution for improving the economy.
Despite the negative sentiment, Trump has made it clear that he intends to press ahead with more tariffs, even after a supreme court ruling curbed many of the levies he introduced last year. The president has long been a proponent of tariffs, calling them the "most beautiful" word in the dictionary and arguing that they are necessary to protect American industries.
However, the survey suggests that Americans are experiencing the most sticker shock at the grocery store, with 57% saying that tariffs have negatively affected grocery prices. This is in line with recent economic data, which shows that grocery prices have increased by 3.1% from February 2025 to February 2026, outpacing the overall pace of inflation.
Economic Impacts
The survey also highlights the impact of tariffs on specific industries, such as beef and coffee, which have seen huge increases in prices since last year. Beef prices have risen by 14%, while coffee prices have increased by 18%, according to recent economic data.
The partisan divide on tariffs is clear, with a vast majority of Democrats and independents agreeing that tariffs are not the right solution for the economy. However, Republicans are more optimistic about the economy overall, with nearly half of Republican respondents saying they believe the economy is getting better.
Conservatives are also more patient about Trump's tariffs, with 80% saying they are open to seeing whether tariffs could positively affect the economy in 2026. In contrast, only 46% of Democrats and 53% of independents share this view.
Midterm Elections
The survey's findings may pose a challenge for Republicans in the midterm elections, as they try to convince independent swing voters that their party has been attuned to the rising costs of living. When Trump won his re-election in 2024, a small but critical mass of independent-leaning voters showed up for him at the voting booth, but it remains to be seen whether they will continue to support him in the face of growing economic concerns.
Trump's enthusiasm for tariffs has been a hallmark of his presidency, and he has consistently argued that they are necessary to protect American industries. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published in January, Trump wrote that "it was the tariff that made America strong and powerful in generations past and it is tariffs that are making our country stronger, safer and richer than ever before."
However, the survey suggests that this message may not be resonating with voters, who are increasingly feeling the impact of higher prices. As the midterm elections approach, it remains to be seen whether Trump's trade policies will become a major issue, and whether Republicans will be able to convince voters that their party has the best solution for the economy.
Trade Investigations
Since February, Trump has announced a new 15% global baseline tariff that he plans to put in place, despite the court's ruling that the tariffs can only last for a maximum of 150 days. The White House has also announced that it has opened trade investigations into foreign countries, a process that could lead to even more new tariffs.
The survey was conducted online within the US by the Harris Poll from 26-28 February 2026, among a nationally representative sample of 2,138 US adults. The findings provide a snapshot of voter sentiment on tariffs and the economy, and suggest that Trump's trade policies may become a major issue in the upcoming midterm elections.
