Trump Tariff Approval Rating Tumbles After Supreme Court Ruling

President Donald Trump’s approval on tariffs has slipped further following a Supreme Court ruling, with new polling showing growing public disapproval of his handling of the issue.

White House spokesman Kush Desai told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “Americans overwhelmingly support renegotiating lopsided trade deals, lowering prescription drug prices, and bringing manufacturing back home to America. President Trump has powerfully used tariffs to deliver on all three ends, and will continue to use tariffs to deliver even more wins for the American people.”

Why It Matters

Trade policy has long been a core pillar of Trump’s political identity, especially with working‑class and swing voters. 

As midterms approach, sustained erosion here could weaken one of his signature economic arguments.

What To Know

Public support for Trump’s handling of tariffs was already underwater at the start of 2026. 

And new polling suggests it has sunk even further in the weeks since.

An Economist/YouGov survey conducted January 9 to 12, 2026, with a 3.3 percent margin of error, among 1,602 U.S. adult citizens, found 37 percent approved of how Trump was handling tariffs, while 56 percent disapproved. 

That left him with a net approval rating of -19 on the issue.

A follow‑up Economist/YouGov poll, fielded February 20 to 23, with a 3.3 percent margin of error, among 1,551 U.S. adult citizens, showed those numbers worsening. 

Approval slipped to 33 percent, while disapproval climbed to 60 percent. Trump’s net approval on tariffs fell to -27.

The change represents an 8‑point swing in net approval in just over a month, moving in a clearly negative direction.

Both surveys asked respondents whether they approved or disapproved of the way Trump was handling tariffs specifically, rather than his overall performance as president. 

The consistency of the question allows for a direct comparison across the two polls.

And the February results suggest skepticism has intensified rather than faded.

While tariffs have often been framed by Trump as a tool to protect U.S. industries and jobs, public opinion has been mixed, particularly when trade disputes intersect with higher consumer prices or market uncertainty. 

The polling was sponsored by The Economist and conducted by YouGov using online interviews of adult U.S. citizens. 

It comes after the Supreme Court struck down large parts of Trump’s tariff program in a 6–3 ruling, finding he lacked authority to impose sweeping import taxes under a 1977 emergency powers law.

While the decision curbed Trump’s use of emergency powers, it left uncertainty over refunds and whether the administration can reimpose tariffs using other legal tools.

What People Are Saying

Speaking on the day his tariffs were struck down, Trump said: “The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court — absolutely ashamed—for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country.”

And Republican Senator Jon Husted of Ohio wrote on X on Friday: “Tariffs are an important tool for protecting American workers and confronting unfair trade practices. Today, the Supreme Court has spoken. In America, we respect the rule of law even when we disagree with it. 

“I look forward to working with the President, his administration, and my colleagues in the Senate to continue supporting America-First trade policies, prioritizing American consumers and job creators, and pushing back on adversaries like China.”

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts wrote on Saturday: “When someone illegally takes your money, that’s called stealing. Donald Trump stole your money with his illegal tariffs—and you paid higher prices on everything from housing to groceries. It’s time for Trump to pay up and give back your money.”

What Happens Next

Attention now turns to how trade policy features in upcoming legislative fights and economic debates on Capitol Hill. 

With tariffs likely to remain in the spotlight amid legal challenges and international negotiations, future polling will test whether public opinion stabilizes—or continues to slide—as the midterm cycle accelerates.