Trump’s Auto Tariffs Are as Unpopular as Proposed Levies on Canada & Mexico

President Donald Trump’s plan to apply tariffs to automobile imports in a bid to boost American manufacturing production is as unpopular as any of his proposed or implemented levies to date ahead of his promised “Liberation Day” tomorrow, when he’s set to ramp up his global trade war.

According to our latest survey, 49% oppose his planned 25% tariffs on imports of all automobiles and auto parts, in line with voter opposition to his 25% duties on all imported goods from Canada and Mexico. Trump plans to impose both import taxes tomorrow, along with so-called reciprocal tariffs that have yet to be clearly defined.

The similarity in sentiment about the import taxes on autos and Canadian and Mexican products is in line with our other findings from recent weeks that reflect an increasingly tariff-skeptical public.

Notably, these tariffs are only slightly more unpopular than his 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, which draws disapproval from 47% of voters in our latest survey. His 20% taxes on all Chinese goods are currently faring better, with 48% in support and 41% opposed.

Sentiment for tariffs falls along expected party lines, with the bulk of independent voters giving a collective thumbs-down to all of the aforementioned tariffs that we tested over the weekend. And even though most Republican voters back all of these tariffs, roughly 1 in 5 Republican voters oppose the tariffs on autos and America’s closest neighbors set to go into effect tomorrow.

The bottom line

Trump's trade war has clearly harmed his standing with voters, who have become less likely to back his handling of not only international economic relations, but the broader economy as well. After starting his presidency with voters much more likely to approve than disapprove of his handling of both the economy generally and trade specifically, our latest tracking surveys show his approval ratings on both issues have dropped underwater.

Shifting sentiment about Trump appears to be seeping into how voters think about his party on Capitol Hill, as well. Since the beginning of Trump’s term, Republicans in Congress have nearly lost their trust advantage over Democrats to handle the economy or trade.

That may incentivize Republicans facing tough races next year to push back against the administration’s actions. That’s especially true if an escalatory trade war causes further cost increases for American consumers amid the constant priority divide between Trump and the public, which our tracking shows is far more interested in lowering consumer prices than sticking it to foreign countries.

For American industries opposed to the Liberation Day tariffs, discontent among lower-income voters, who are increasingly influential in the Republican voter base, continues to be a valid political pressure point as they approach vulnerable lawmakers.

But at least at this point, such messages will likely carry little weight for the bulk of House Republicans who rely far more on their own party’s voters for legislative victories. It’s likely to take a great deal of economic pain caused by any trade war for that particular needle to move.