New York (Web Desk/Agencies): A recent poll conducted by The Economist and YouGov reveals that President Donald Trump's approval rating is on a downward trend as he navigates the early months of his second term, now marked by a rising global trade standoff.
The survey, which included 1,741 American adults between April 5 and April 8, shows that 51% of respondents disapprove of Trump’s performance, while only 43% express approval.
This marks a net approval rating of minus eight points. Just two weeks earlier, the same poll showed nearly even opinions, with 48% viewing Trump favorably and 49% unfavorably.
Though the current figures suggest a notable drop in support, Trump still maintains a stronger standing than he did during some stretches of his first presidency.
At this same stage in his first term, he also held a net approval of minus eight, which later deteriorated to minus twenty-one within his first year. The slight advantage he now holds appears to be fading quickly amid escalating economic tensions tied to trade policy decisions.
In the past two weeks, the president introduced an aggressive new tariff plan targeting foreign imports, a move that has sparked international backlash. China, in particular, has countered with its own significant tariff increases, further fueling economic unease.
Responding to growing diplomatic pressure, Trump recently announced a 90-day suspension of most tariffs for nations currently engaged in trade negotiations with the US, in what he described as an effort to secure better deals for American industries.
Still, public sentiment around Trump’s handling of the economy has dipped sharply. His net approval on economic matters has slipped from minus three to minus ten in the latest poll.
Meanwhile, his rating on inflation and price control has plunged even further—from minus thirteen to minus nineteen. Analysts involved in the poll noted that
Trump began his second term with higher approval than at any time in his first, but the recent data suggest that advantage may be fleeting if economic concerns continue to dominate the national conversation.
The margin of error for the poll is three percentage points, but the consistent decline across multiple categories indicates a genuine shift in public opinion as the administration's economic strategy faces scrutiny both at home and abroad.
