Here's a story about what happens when the Supreme Court, economic data, and public opinion all seem to agree on something: that tariffs make things more expensive. The court just struck down President Donald Trump's tariffs in a 6-3 decision, and a new poll suggests most Americans won't be mourning their loss.
The ruling, delivered Friday with Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority, found that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act doesn't give the president the authority to impose tariffs. It's a significant check on executive power, and according to a YouGov poll, about 60% of Americans support the court's decision. Why? Because they largely blame those same tariffs for the higher prices they're seeing at the checkout.
Not one to back down, Trump responded on Truth Social by announcing a new "Global 10% Tariff on all Countries," asserting he can still enforce tariffs without needing a thumbs-up from Congress. It sets up a classic Washington standoff between a court ruling and a president's proclaimed powers.
The Price Tag of Policy
So, what do the people actually think? The poll paints a pretty clear picture. A majority of Americans—66%—say they've personally experienced a rise in the cost of goods. When asked why, 74% pointed the finger at high inflation, tariffs, and the rising cost of living. This sentiment cuts across the aisle, with 88% of Democrats and 68% of Independents agreeing that tariffs have caused prices to climb.
The partisan split is interesting, though. Among Republicans, 44% acknowledged tariffs increased prices, but a notable 28% believed they had no effect, and 10% even thought prices decreased. It shows how the same economic policy can be felt—or perceived—very differently depending on your political lens.
This all comes after Trump introduced aggressive tariffs in April 2025, claiming they had slashed the U.S. trade deficit by 78%. The official data tells a different story. By November 2025, the trade deficit had actually surged by 95%. That's quite a gap between the narrative and the spreadsheet.
A Shift in the Economic Weather
This isn't just a one-off poll. It reflects a broader shift in how people view the economic landscape. A Pew Research survey last year found that 53% of American adults believe Trump's policies have harmed the economy. Compare that to November 2018, during Trump's first term, when 59% rated the economy positively. The mood has clearly changed.
The reason for the gloom? Again, that 74% figure pops up, with respondents citing inflation and tariffs as the main culprits for their negative view. This evolving public opinion is more than just a data point; it's becoming a political factor. With control of Congress at stake in the upcoming midterms, how candidates—particularly Republicans—address these economic concerns and the fallout from tariff policies could shape campaign strategies.
Who Really Pays?
Beyond the politics and the polls, there's an economic reality that's hard to ignore. Reports suggest that nearly 90% of tariff costs are ultimately borne by U.S. businesses and consumers. That contradicts the idea of tariffs as a tool that makes other countries pay, instead painting them as a tax that circulates back into the domestic economy, often hitting wallets at home.
As we wait for the official December trade data, the gap between proclamations and data continues to widen. The president's insistence on tariffs as a central tool of economic policy remains, but it's now operating in a space defined by a Supreme Court rebuke, contradictory data, and a public that largely believes it's paying the price.
