Americans are feeling increasingly positive about the nation’s direction, with many believing that the economy has improved following President Trump’s adjustments to his aggressive tariff policies.
A recent Harvard Cap/Harris poll indicates that 42% of respondents think the country is on the right path, which is a 3% increase from the previous month.
Additionally, more than half of voters (51%) now view the US economy as “strong,” which marks a five-point rise since April.
Interestingly, this surge in optimism aligns with the progress made in the Trump administration’s trade discussions with the UK and China, particularly concerning his least favored policy of reducing various tariffs.
The recent US-UK trade deal framework, established on May 8, would see the removal of tariffs on certain British-made aircraft parts and reductions in tariffs on iron, aluminum, and automobiles.
Shortly after, the US and China agreed to a 90-day tariff pause, which brought down China’s duty rate from 145% to 30% for most items. This agreement also included provisions for ongoing discussions aimed at a permanent resolution.
Despite this, a significant 57% of voters believe Trump’s tariffs are “harmful to the economy,” viewing them as the biggest misstep of his presidency.
A survey conducted from May 14-15 among 1,903 registered voters found that many consider Trump’s tariffs his major failure, with 26% of voters stating this. This rating was notably higher than any other complaint, such as issuing an executive order outside of his authority.
Surprisingly, 31% of voters feel Trump hasn’t yet taken office.
When asked about Trump’s potential to secure a deal with China to resolve trade tensions, 60% of voters were optimistic about reaching a long-term agreement.
Mark Penn, co-director of the Harvard Cap/Harris poll, mentioned that while Trump’s policies generally enjoy strong support, concerns remain about his actions with executive orders and tariffs. He noted that if Trump effectively lowered prescription drug prices and managed inflation, he might engage an additional 10% of voters.
Currently, Trump’s approval rating stands at 47%, down one percentage point from last month, with 87% of Republican voters supporting him and 83% of Democrats disapproving. His immigration policy received the highest ratings, with 51% approval, alongside similar approval for restoring the nation’s values.
