Americans want Trump’s focus more on prices, not tariffs; most approve of deportation efforts — CBS News poll
Following a challenging week of economic news and surveys indicating that Americans are still pessimistic about the economy, many believe that President Trump has placed too much emphasis on tariffs, which they fear will lead to price hikes, and not enough on reducing prices.
This has left Americans feeling doubtful about the potential of Mr. Trump’s policies to improve their financial situations, a factor that was crucial to his success in the 2024 campaign.
However, despite these concerns, President Trump continues to enjoy majority approval on immigration and his deportation program, particularly among his Republican base, who view these issues as equally important as the economy in their assessments of his performance.
As the public grapples with the impact of federal workforce reductions, there is a widespread belief that these changes will affect programs that are important to them.
While the issue of administration officials using the Signal app is viewed as serious, it does not appear to have a direct impact on overall evaluations of President Trump.
Recent polls indicate that Americans feel the administration is overly fixated on tariffs and not enough on lowering prices, a sentiment that contrasts with the promises made by President Trump during his campaign.
While initial optimism surrounded Mr. Trump’s economic policies, the current perception is divided, with only a quarter of Americans feeling financially better off under his presidency.
The issue of tariffs, particularly on imported cars, is met with disapproval, as many believe it will lead to higher prices in the short and long term.
Despite concerns about rising prices, President Trump is not solely blamed for inflation rates, with Joe Biden receiving slightly more criticism in this regard.
While President Trump receives positive ratings on immigration and his deportation program, his approval on handling inflation and the economy has dipped, indicating a mixed public sentiment towards his overall performance.
Despite these challenges, President Trump’s approval rating remains relatively stable, with majority support for his deportation program and continued scrutiny on his economic policies.
As the public evaluates President Trump’s performance, concerns about tariffs, inflation, and the economy continue to shape their views, highlighting the complexity of economic policies and their impact on everyday Americans.
Overall, the survey reflects a nuanced perspective on President Trump’s policies, with a mix of approval and criticism across different issues.
This article is based on the findings of a CBS News/YouGov survey conducted with 2,609 U.S. adults between March 27-28, 2025. The survey results were weighted to reflect the national demographic distribution and political affiliations. The margin of error for the survey is ±2.3 points.
