Trump trade war draws 58.7% US disapproval as Canada braces
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
About 58.7% of Americans disapprove of President Trump's approach to trade and tariffs, according to Silver Bulletin analysis of over 20 polls this summer. Just 34.5% approve, a drop of over 18 percentage points since the start of Trump's second term. The disapproval comes as the administration considers new 7.5% tariffs on China ahead of a late September meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Key Facts
- 58.7% of Americans disapprove of Trump's trade and tariff approach, with 34.5% approving, per Silver Bulletin analysis of over 20 polls.
- Disapproval has risen over 18 percentage points since the start of Trump's second term.
- The Trump administration is considering new 7.5% tariffs on China over overcapacity ahead of a late September Trump-Xi meeting.
- The Yale Budget Lab estimates the current effective statutory tariff rate on China at 26%.
- Trump signed an order renaming Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' on Thursday.
US Public Opinion
Silver Bulletin, which analyzed over 20 polls this summer, found 58.7% of Americans disapprove of Trump's approach to trade and tariffs. Only 34.5% approve, a drop of over 18 percentage points since the beginning of Trump's second term. Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer said Americans have zero interest in picking a fight with Canada. The tariff issue is one of the economic factors pulling Trump's approval rating to second-term lows.
Canada's Contrasting Mood
Canadians appear ready to endure economic pain from tit-for-tat tariffs to make a point, according to the article. Former Trump Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross noted Canadians have adopted a very negative attitude toward the US in general. The divergent public moods could help Canada in the months ahead, even though the trade war's impact would be greater on its smaller economy. Trump signed an order renaming Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' on Thursday, while some administration officials toyed with cutting off trade in certain goods to Canada entirely, Semafor reported.
China Tariff Threat
The Trump administration has signaled new trade tensions with China could be imminent, with potential plans for new 7.5% tariffs on China under consideration around overcapacity. The new tariffs would come on top of the current 26% effective statutory tariff rate on China, according to the Yale Budget Lab. Raymond James wrote that this could kick off the next wave of tariff actions, marking the next chapter in Trump's push to reinstitute and expand tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. Raymond James managing director Edward Mills and colleagues wrote they believe the US has not yet reached 'peak tariff' despite midterm and inflation concerns.
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Trump trade war draws 58.7% US disapproval as Canada braces
