Americans disapprove of Donald Trump’s use of tariffs in trade war, CNBC All-America Economic Survey finds
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US President Donald Trump’s handling of the relationship with China and heavy-handed use of tariffs is failing to win the support of the American general public, according to a CNBC All-America Economic Survey released on Friday.
The poll, conducted quarterly, found that 45 per cent of those questioned disapproved of the way Trump has handled relations with Beijing, with whom his administration is engaged in a costly trade war soon to reach the one-year mark. Thirty-two per cent of people approved, with the remaining respondents either unsure or holding no opinion.
Days before trade talks between the United States and China broke down on May 10, Trump escalated the conflict by announcing a tariff increase on US$200 billion of Chinese imports from 10 to 25 per cent.
That brought the total value of goods subject to 25 per cent duties to US$250 billion. Forty per cent of poll respondents said they were opposed to the move and 28 per cent were in favour.
The administration has also begun preparations to impose duties on the remainder of Chinese imports.
