We texted 1,000 Americans about Trump’s tariffs. This is how they responded.

We texted 1,000 Americans

about Trump’s tariffs.

MAGA
chaos and pain
Other countries tariff us
Prices will go up
give him a chance
higher inflation

This is how they responded.

By

In the aftermath of a major policy decision, like imposing tariffs on America’s top three trading partners, it’s hard to know how Americans feel.

The Washington Post is trying to better answer that question by conducting quick polls, in which we text about 1,000 Americans after a breaking news event and publish their answers within 24 to 36 hours.

Here’s what Americans had to say about the economy — which polling has shown most Americans rate negatively — along with President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China.

Participants’ answers have been lightly edited for clarity and style.

Question 1 of 3

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling the economy?

Approve
45%
Disapprove
55%

I don’t see him doing anything to improve the price of food, gas or my everyday costs. I don’t think tariffs are the answer and neither does the stock market.

California woman, 67, who voted for Kamala Harris

He is trying to give Americans more of their money.

North Carolina woman, 56, who voted for Trump

Tariffs raise prices, worsen inflation.

Florida man, 39, who voted for Harris

More than half of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling the economy. But opinions are sharply divided by whom they voted for president in 2024.

Americans’ views on the economy split by whom they voted for in 2024
Approve
Disapprove
Trump voters
In the "undefined" group, 87 percent of people responded with "Approve."
In the "undefined" group, 13 percent of people responded with "Disapprove."
Harris voters
In the "undefined" group, 7 percent of people responded with "Approve."
In the "undefined" group, 93 percent of people responded with "Disapprove."

Question 2 of 3

Trump has imposed 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods and increased tariffs on Chinese goods. Do you support or oppose these tariffs?

Support
40%
Oppose
60%

Makes everything more expensive and the economy is already struggling enough.

Arizona woman, 21, who voted for Trump

It’s only fair to charge them tariffs that they charge us!

Kentucky man, 79, who voted for Trump

Tariffs are a tax on the people, passed down to the consumer.

Florida woman, 70, who voted for Harris

Six in 10 Americans oppose Trump’s tariffs on goods imported from Mexico, Canada and China, including majorities across income groups. Many Americans who are opposed said they are concerned that tariffs will cause price increases for them and other Americans.

Majorities oppose tariffs across household income groups
Support
Oppose
Less than $50,000
In the "undefined" group, 44 percent of people responded with "Support."
In the "undefined" group, 56 percent of people responded with "Oppose."
$50,000 to less than $75,000
In the "undefined" group, 45 percent of people responded with "Support."
In the "undefined" group, 55 percent of people responded with "Oppose."
$75,000 to less than $100,000
In the "undefined" group, 35 percent of people responded with "Support."
In the "undefined" group, 65 percent of people responded with "Oppose."
$100,000 and over
In the "undefined" group, 35 percent of people responded with "Support."
In the "undefined" group, 65 percent of people responded with "Oppose."

Question 3 of 3

How concerned, if at all, are you about tariffs raising prices of the products you buy?

Not at all concerned
7%
Not too concerned
18%
Somewhat concerned
29%
Very concerned
46%

About three-quarters of Americans say they are concerned that tariffs will raise the prices of products they buy, including nearly half who say they are “very concerned.” Wide majorities of Democrats and independents say they are concerned, and over half of Republicans share this concern as well.

Majorities of Americans across party lines are concerned that tariffs will raise prices
Not at all concerned
Not too concerned
Somewhat concerned
Very concerned
Republican
In the "undefined" group, 14 percent of people responded with "Not at all concerned."
In the "undefined" group, 35 percent of people responded with "Not too."
In the "undefined" group, 37 percent of people responded with "Somewhat."
In the "undefined" group, 15 percent of people responded with "Very concerned."
Democrat
In the "undefined" group, 1 percent of people responded with "Not at all concerned."
In the "undefined" group, 3 percent of people responded with "Not too."
In the "undefined" group, 21 percent of people responded with "Somewhat."
In the "undefined" group, 75 percent of people responded with "Very concerned."
Independent
In the "undefined" group, 4 percent of people responded with "Not at all concerned."
In the "undefined" group, 17 percent of people responded with "Not too."
In the "undefined" group, 30 percent of people responded with "Somewhat."
In the "undefined" group, 48 percent of people responded with "Very concerned."
About this story

This Washington Post poll was conducted via text message March 4-5 among a random sample of 1,009 adults drawn from SSRS Opinion Panel’s Text Message Panel, the probability-based panel of SSRS. Overall results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. Error margins are larger among subsamples.

Analysis by Emily Guskin. Design by Shikha Subramaniam. Development by Irfan Uraizee and Eric Lau. Editing by Sarah Frostenson, Kevin Uhrmacher, Betty Chavarria and Junne Joaquin Alcantara.