Consumer confidence in the U.S. is showing signs of strain as concerns grow over the direction of the economy under President Donald Trump’s second term. A recent poll reveals that many Americans fear a looming recession, with more than half anticipating a significant rise in prices due to the administration’s tariff-heavy trade policies. While the economy continues to show surface-level strength, with moderate inflation and a 4.2% unemployment rate, underlying anxieties are mounting.
About half of U.S. adults report being extremely or very worried about an economic downturn in the coming months. A similar number oppose tariffs on all imports, a share that has risen slightly since the start of the year, particularly among younger adults. Public concern is most acute when it comes to everyday expenses, such as groceries, and big-ticket items, like appliances and vehicles.
Confidence in Trump’s economic strategy is slipping, with only 4 in 10 Americans approving of his handling of trade and the economy. Meanwhile, financial markets have become increasingly volatile, and the burden of rising interest rates is beginning to impact household budgets and long-term planning, such as retirement savings.
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Source: NORC