Know the New America: April 2025
With yo-yoing tariffs that threw stock markets into chaos this month, it is important to remember that although Americans support some of Trump’s pronouncements on immigration, most Americans (57%) oppose the 10% across-the-board tariffs President Donald Trump’s administration put into place (even before higher ones that may reappear in a few months’ time). But there’s much stronger support for limited tariffs that target countries “taking advantage of the U.S.” — 76% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans agree.
While tech and electronics caught a break as Trump exempted some of their products from tariffs, the administration continues to encourage them to move their operations to America. But there’s a growing partisan split among Americans on whether making tech in the U.S. should be a national security priority, according to the Ipsos Consumer Tracker. While the number of Republicans who agree has held steady at 78%, the number of Democrats who want electronics made in America has dropped from 69% to 50% — yet another sign of polarization creeping into the American economy.
Amid this, Trump’s approval rating, low by historic standards, has dropped only slightly since his inauguration in January. But American consumers’ confidence continues to slowly drop as three in five Americans are unhappy with the cost of living.
Outside the U.S., many are losing faith in America: The number of people across 29 countries who say the U.S. will have a positive influence on world affairs has dropped from 59% in October to 46% today – with far steeper drops in Mexico (67% to 46%) and Canada (52% to 19%), according to a new Ipsos study. As U.S. foreign policy continues to seesaw, we’ll keep watching this.
Read on to discover the latest insights on America from Ipsos.
Do contact us to help you navigate this uncertain environment, thanks to our wide range of services ranging from corporate reputation to brand management and consumer tracking, through public opinion measurement.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Page
CEO of Ipsos
Most Americans believe prices will increase due to the latest tariffs
Americans are divided on a set of foreign tariffs recently announced by President Donald Trump, according to a new Ipsos poll fielded shortly after Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement. The poll also finds that four in five Republicans say short-term economic pain is worth it to make the U.S. stronger in the long term, compared to half of independents and one in four Democrats.
Related Article: How U.S. tariffs set social media on fire around the world
Americans are unhappy with the direction of the cost of living
A majority of Americans believe key national issues are moving in the wrong direction. 61% percent believe the cost of living is on the wrong track, closely followed by 59% who share similar concerns about inflation. Fifty-three percent say that both the national economy and national politics are on the wrong track, and 52% feel the same way about international trade. In contrast, immigration policy is viewed somewhat more positively, with 45% saying it is moving in the right direction.
Related Article: Americans are freaking out about the government, according to the Ipsos Consumer Tracker
Here’s how far America’s reputation has dropped in the world’s eyes
The number of people around the world who believe the U.S. will have a positive influence on the world has dropped significantly since President Trump was elected: Fewer than two in three people (63% on average across 29 countries) say the U.S. will have a positive influence on world affairs in March/April 2025, down from 77% who said the same in Sept./Oct. 2024, right before Trump was elected.
Trump’s approval remains stable
Q: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?
Consumer confidence slowly slips
US Consumer Data 2024-2025
What the rest of the world thinks
There has been broad backlash across the world to the tariffs, and some longtime U.S. allies are beginning to question the strength of their alliances — and for the first time, more people globally now say China has a positive impact on the world than the USA (49% vs 46%).
United Kingdom
- The proportion of Britons saying there isn’t a “special relationship” with the U.S. doubles in one year amidst concern over tariffs Read more
North America
- How Americans, Canadians and Mexicans feel about Trump’s trade war Read more
Canada
- Trump, Tariffs and Turmoil Read more
Italy
- I sondaggi politici di Pagnoncelli: Donald Trump e dazi, quanto sono preoccupati gli italiani? Read more
Germany
- Der Krieg in der Ukraine hat durch die wenig erfolgreichen Friedensbemühungen Donald Trumps neue Relevanz gewonnen Read more
France
- Les politiques D&I à l'ère de Donald Trump : les Français continuent de soutenir les programmes de diversité et inclusion en entreprise Read more
Ipsos Essentials: A monthly look at trends across 15 key markets
- How distinct consumer profiles are emerging as consumers navigate rising costs Read more
Read the previous March 2025 edition of Know the New America
