Trump Reignites Trade Wars as American Public Disapproval Surges

President Trump has reignited trade wars, with a majority of Americans disapproving of his approach to tariffs, according to recent surveys. The Silver Bulletin analyzed multiple polls and found that 58.7% of Americans disapprove of Trump's trade policies, while only 34.5% approve. This marks an 18-point increase in disapproval since the beginning of his second term.

The tensions between the U.S. and Canada have escalated further, with Trump considering imposing new 7.5% tariffs on China due to overcapacity issues. This potential move comes ahead of a late September meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Raymond James noted that the U.S. has not yet reached the peak of its tariff measures despite rising skepticism over affordability and midterm concerns.

Public opinion in the U.S. differs significantly from that of Canadians. A YouGov survey found that 64% of Americans disapprove of the handling of tariffs, with 62% stating that tariffs negatively impact the cost of living. In contrast, an Angus Reid Institute poll revealed that 76% of Canadians believe their government made the right decision in walking away from trade talks. Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to continue fighting for Canadian interests, stating that Canada was the victim in the situation.

The public mood among Americans could be further affected by the upcoming midterm elections, particularly in border states like Maine and Michigan, as well as agriculture-heavy states like Iowa and North Carolina, which might lose Canadian markets for their crops.