Americans See Tariffs Hurting The Nation's Economy

As consumer concerns about product pricing remain high, a new survey revealed that more than half of Americans believe the imposition of tariffs will harm the nation’s economy.

In a new survey from marketing research firm Savanta, 54% said tariffs will hurt the economy, with 48% expecting tariffs to increase over the next year. Additionally, 77% expect tariffs to have a direct impact on their household finances, with 41% reporting that tariffs are already having a negative effect.

"Americans may not follow every trade policy detail, but they know when their household expenses go up," said Kyle Gollins, head of Commercial, Americas at Savanta. "What used to be a geopolitical lever is now a household pressure point."

Faced with rising prices, Americans are making adjustments:

• 66% have noticed price increases on groceries, and 42% say the same for clothing
• 71% have changed or are considering changing their purchase decisions
• 61% have switched to cheaper brands in recent months
• 35% view tariffs as a hidden tax on consumers

"We're seeing real-time behavioral shifts, from brand loyalty to budgeting," said Jennifer Kim, research analyst at Savanta. "Even for those who don't follow trade headlines, they're feeling the economic stress."

According to Savanta, the findings challenge the idea that tariff policies are too complex for public knowledge. A majority of Americans (56%) say they have a moderate or strong understanding of how U.S. tariffs work, suggesting that concern isn't just emotional, but informed.

Tariffs also continue to impact the flow of goods through major cargo ports across the U.S. A new report from the National Retail Federation forecasts a jump in imports during July to take advantage of a pause in tariffs. This growth follows a double-digit drop in imports throughout the spring. However, the expected bump in July could be short-lived if tariffs paused by the Trump administration are reactivated in August.