Reuters/Ipsos Poll Shows Trump's Support Declining
U.S. President Trump's national approval rating has dropped to 40% in the latest poll, marking the lowest point since his second term began. The joint survey by Reuters and Ipsos covered 1,023 adult respondents nationwide over three days, with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
Despite the overall decline in approval, partisan differences remain evident: 83% of Republicans hold a favorable view of Trump, compared to only 3% of Democrats. Among independents, about one-third have a positive opinion, indicating that the current political divide remains pronounced.
Mixed Reactions to Economic and Immigration Policies
Despite the overall decline in approval, the poll also shows a slight improvement in some American voters' views on Trump's handling of economic and immigration issues. In economic matters, 38% of respondents approve of his approach, an increase of 3 percentage points since mid-July; support on immigration is at 43%, up 2 percentage points from before.
However, economists and business leaders generally take a cautious view of Trump's tariff policies, arguing that his erratic "reciprocal tariffs" strategy has delayed corporate investment decisions, thereby undermining overall economic confidence.
Inconsistent Tariff Policies Raise Market Concerns
Since 2024, the Trump administration has repeatedly announced "reciprocal tariffs" on major trade partners, frequently altering the implementation timelines and rates, causing uncertainty in domestic and international markets. While Trump claims these policies aim to boost manufacturing and reduce the trade deficit, critics argue that such policies lack coherence and disrupt international trade order.
Since April, Trump has imposed a minimum baseline tariff of 10% on multiple countries and has repeatedly threatened further rate hikes from August 1. Although the postponement has been extended several times, retaliatory tariffs by other countries are brewing, casting a shadow over global economic prospects.
Controversial Stance on Immigration Policy
On immigration issues, Trump continues to pursue his "America First" border security agenda, implementing stricter entry screening and deportation protocols. Although some conservative voters support his reinforced border control stance, liberals and economists warn that such policies might lead to labor shortages, particularly impacting the agriculture, construction, and service sectors.
Recent studies warn that decreasing immigration numbers could undermine U.S. economic growth potential in the long term, increasing the risk of rising labor costs.
Declining Support Reflects Fluctuations in Voter Confidence
According to the average of polls compiled by DecisionDeskHQ, Trump's approval rating has fallen by 12 percentage points since January 2025, dropping from 56% at the start of the year to 44% this week. The Ipsos survey further reveals a bottoming out of support at 40%.
Political observers note that while certain issues can still maintain core support, the increasing economic and social divisions present a formidable challenge to Trump's re-election prospects.
