Seven in 10 Americans Say Trump's Tariffs Caused Higher Prices, Exclusive Poll Finds
A new exclusive survey for the Guardian reveals that seven in 10 Americans believe Donald Trump's tariffs have led to them paying higher prices, presenting Republicans with a significant challenge ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The Harris Poll, conducted in late February 2026, indicates that negative economic impacts are being felt across party lines, even as the White House reaffirms its commitment to tariff policies.
Broad Disapproval of Tariff Impacts
The poll shows that a majority of all voters, 72%, believe Trump's tariffs have had a negative rather than a positive impact on the economy. Furthermore, 67% of respondents stated that tariffs are not the right solution for improving economic conditions. This sentiment persists despite Trump's clear intention to press ahead with additional tariffs, following a Supreme Court ruling that curbed many of the levies introduced last year.
Trump's signature economic policy receives poor marks across the political spectrum: 64% of Republicans agreed that the tariffs led to higher prices, compared with 77% of Democrats and 67% of independents. Additionally, 60% of Republicans said tariffs had more of a negative impact on consumers, versus 81% of Democrats and 75% of independents.
Grocery Prices Hit Hardest
Americans are experiencing the most significant sticker shock at the grocery store, with 57% reporting that tariffs have negatively affected grocery prices. This aligns with recent economic data showing a 3.1% increase in grocery prices from February 2025 to February 2026, outpacing overall inflation. Notably, beef and coffee prices have surged by 14% and 18% respectively, reflecting the high impact of tariffs on these industries.
The survey was conducted before the US and Israel initiated a conflict with Iran, which subsequently caused oil prices to skyrocket, potentially exacerbating economic pressures.
Partisan Divides and Economic Sentiment
While a majority of voters disapprove of Trump's tariffs, a clear partisan divide remains. A vast majority of Democrats (81%) and independents (68%) agreed that tariffs are not the right economic solution, compared with 53% of Republicans. Republicans also exhibit greater optimism about the economy overall, with nearly half (49%) believing it is improving, versus just 18% of Democrats and independents.
Conservatives show more patience regarding Trump's tariffs: 80% are open to seeing potential positive effects in 2026, compared to 46% of Democrats and 53% of independents. Additionally, 69% of Republicans believe tariffs have brought back manufacturing jobs, while only 13% think such jobs will never return, contrasting with 46% of Democrats and 38% of independents who hold that view.
Political Implications for Midterm Elections
This split in opinion may pose a challenge for Republicans in the midterm elections, as they attempt to convince independent swing voters that their party is attuned to rising living costs, despite widespread negative sentiment around tariffs. Trump's 2024 re-election campaign heavily focused on bashing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over inflation, promising to revitalize the economy while championing tariffs as the solution, which he famously called the "most beautiful" word in the dictionary.
Even as inflation and unemployment reached low levels last spring, Trump announced a historic slate of tariffs on virtually every import. Although many have been rolled back or struck down by the Supreme Court, Trump has vowed to maintain tariffs, stating in a January Wall Street Journal op-ed that they have made America "stronger, safer and richer than ever before."
Future Tariff Plans
Since February, Trump has announced a new 15% global baseline tariff, which, due to the court's ruling, can only last a maximum of 150 days. The White House has also opened trade investigations into foreign countries, a process that could lead to additional tariffs. The Harris Poll survey was conducted online from 26-28 February 2026 among a nationally representative sample of 2,138 US adults, highlighting ongoing economic concerns as tariff policies evolve.
