Americans Split Over Trump’s New Tariff Policy

President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariff plan has sparked a wave of mixed reactions across the United States, with some Americans hailing it as a bold move to revive domestic industry and others warning it could drive up prices and hurt working families.

“This is without question the greatest economic and trade policy action in U.S. history,” said Nick Iacovella, executive vice president of the pro-Trump group Prosper America. “It cements President Trump’s legacy as the man who jumpstarted a new golden era of American manufacturing and prosperity.”

Trump’s plan, unveiled April 2, imposes a 10% tariff on all imports starting April 5. By April 9, tariffs on certain trade partners will rise to as high as 50%, in what the White House calls a “reciprocal response” to unfair trade practices.

Some industry leaders welcomed the move. Kevin Dempsey, president of the American Iron and Steel Institute, praised the president for “standing up for American workers,” while John Williams, head of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, said it was long overdue. House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) called it a “smart tool” to curb trade abuses.

But the response hasn’t been all positive.

Critics, including business groups, economists, and Democratic lawmakers, warn the plan could drive up consumer prices and slow economic growth.

“This is a disaster for American families,” said Matt Priest, president of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. “This tax will raise costs, reduce product quality, and shake consumer confidence.”

Oxford Economics warned that the new tariffs would push U.S. tariff rates to levels not seen since the 1930s. “Even our worst-case scenario was too optimistic,” said U.S. chief economist Ryan Sweet.

Consumer advocates echoed those concerns. Gary Shapiro, head of the Consumer Technology Association, said the tariffs were “effectively a tax hike on Americans” that could worsen inflation and raise the risk of a recession. “Americans will be poorer because of these tariffs,” he told CBS News.

Retailers and restaurant owners are already feeling the pressure. Michelle Korsmo, CEO of the National Restaurant Association, warned the tariffs will disrupt food supply chains and increase costs. Michael Cervantes, who runs Banks Alehouse in Alaska, said he’ll be forced to either raise prices or absorb the hit. “I can’t sell a $25 burger,” he said. “Trump’s policy just takes another bite out of us.”

Prices for clothing, electronics, and energy are also expected to rise. “This is a regressive tax—it hits those at the bottom hardest,” said Ernie Tedeschi, chief economist at the Yale Budget Lab.

In anticipation, Americans have already begun cutting back on discretionary spending. Government data from February shows consumers boosted purchases of durable goods, possibly in preparation for higher prices ahead.

Supply chain intelligence firm Exiger estimated Trump’s tariff plan could represent a $600 billion economic shift, calling it a “massive policy move” with long-term global implications.

Despite criticism, Trump remained defiant. “The so-called experts were wrong again,” he said. “If you want zero tariffs, build your products in America. That’s how you avoid paying them.”

(Sources: CNN, Reuters, CBS News, USA Today)

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