A recent poll from Reuters/Ipsos revealed that President Donald Trump’s poll numbers are trending positive as his global tariffs plan begins to pay off.
The president gained two percentage points this week, reversing the downward trend since January, Fox News reported.
In a poll conducted on May 12 and 13, Trump had 44% approval and 52% disapproval.
This is an increase over the 42% approval Trump garnered last month, though it is within the poll’s margin of error.
The increase is no doubt at least in part due to his handling of the economy.
The poll shows Americans are more confident in key indicators, including the stock market, inflation, and recession.
In April, Trump imposed tariffs on nations throughout the world, including some of America’s adversaries.
The plan was off to a bumpy start as investors got nervous and a Wall Street selloff began.
However, there are signs of improvement both in the implementation and in their perception this month.
The stock market rallied this week over news that China reached an agreement with the U.S. over tariffs, as did other nations.
The worries about recession have subsided with the changes, and the poll reflects that reality as well.
In April, 76% of voters polled were concerned about the possibility of a recession, and now that number is just 69%.
Colin Reed, a seasoned GOP strategist, said that Trump has made it clear “that you are going to have to break some eggs to make an omelet and his voters will give him the latitude to do so,” he told Fox News.
It seems that the American people have considered that.
“We’re still less than 150 days in, he’s got some time to make the hard calls that have to be made and still give the economic plane runway to take off ahead of the midterms, which is when all of these early decisions will be graded,” Reed said.
However, the news hasn’t been all positive.
Trump fought hard to get back into the White House in the 2024 presidential election, and his voters were behind him through it all.
He promised big things, many of which he has achieved in a short time.
However, on the economic front, Trump’s efforts to tackle inflation have required a short-term pain for long-term gain approach.
As a result, Trump’s global tariff hikes have provided fodder for the Democrats and their corporate media allies to frame his policies as detrimental to the economy.
Even with the slight bump this month, Trump is still experiencing more disapproval than approval.
Political scientist and New England College president Wayne Lesperance believes it’s due to the disparity between expectations and reality.
“Trump’s return to office did not begin as he and his supporters had hoped,” Lesperance said.
“Campaign promises about inflation and interest rates appeared deferred while the daily news coverage focused on the many distractions plaguing the White House.”
Yet, as nations line up to secure trade deals with the United States, the plan is now paying off, and the stock market is roaring back into life.
Lesperance believes “signs of progress may be emerging” that could give Trump a boost.
“Possible trade deals with Britain, China, and India are providing hope that some good may come from his tariff strategy.
“Add to that a rebounding stock market and lower gas prices at the start of summer vacation season, and the president may see some calming of public nervousness.”
Trump is doing a great job, but he can’t do everything he wants to right out of the gate.
Voters will have to trust that Trump will deliver for the American people just as he did during his first term as president.
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