A new poll released this week by NPR, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and Ipsos reveals a sharp divergence between the Trump administration’s trade and foreign policy ambitions and the views of the American public, just as President Donald Trump prepares to embark on a high-stakes visit to Beijing. According to the survey, 62% of Americans believe the U.S. Tariffs imposed over the past two years have harmed both the American and Chinese economies, while only 21% say they have helped the U.S. Economy. The findings underscore growing skepticism among voters about the efficacy of the administration’s trade war strategy, which has become a defining—and contentious—feature of its economic policy.
The poll also highlights a broader unease among Americans regarding the administration’s approach to international conflicts. When asked about the escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the U.S. Military strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, 58% of respondents described the situation as bad for America, with only 24% viewing it as beneficial. The results come as Trump’s visit to China—his first as president—promises to focus on trade negotiations, but also carries the weight of unresolved disputes, including Washington’s demands for structural changes in Beijing’s economic practices and concerns over intellectual property theft.
The survey data, collected between June 10 and June 17, aligns with recent economic indicators showing strain in global supply chains due to tariffs, particularly in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported last month that Chinese purchases of American soybeans had plummeted by 96% in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period the previous year, a direct consequence of retaliatory tariffs. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have repeatedly signaled that they are unwilling to make unilateral concessions on issues like forced technology transfers, a sticking point in negotiations that has complicated Trump’s push for a “phase one” trade deal.
Diplomatic sources in Beijing have indicated that Trump’s visit will prioritize symbolic gestures over substantive breakthroughs, with Chinese leaders likely to emphasize areas of cooperation, such as climate change and North Korea, while avoiding direct engagement on tariffs. A senior U.S. Official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that “the Chinese side has not shown flexibility on the core issues”, suggesting that the trip may not yield immediate resolution. The poll’s findings add pressure on the administration to clarify its long-term strategy, particularly as midterm elections loom and trade policy has emerged as a key voting issue.
On the Iran front, the poll’s results reflect a public wary of prolonged military engagement in the region. The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 and impose “maximum pressure” sanctions has led to a series of retaliatory attacks, including the downing of a U.S. Drone in June and the shooting down of a commercial airliner in January. While the administration has framed its actions as necessary to counter Iranian aggression, the poll suggests that Americans are increasingly skeptical of the human and economic costs of such policies. A recent RAND Corporation study estimated that U.S. Military operations in the Middle East cost $191 billion annually, a figure that has drawn criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The contrast between the administration’s assertive foreign policy posture and public opinion could shape the trajectory of Trump’s Beijing trip. While the White House has framed the visit as an opportunity to “reset” relations, the poll’s results indicate that Americans are less optimistic about the outcomes than officials appear to be. With no official schedule for the visit yet released, the focus remains on whether Trump can secure even limited progress on trade—or whether the trip will further entrench the stalemate.
