WASHINGTON — Americans remain divided on the economic impact of tariffs, with consumer sentiment showing only slight shifts in recent months, according to new Morning Consult survey data.
Support for tariffs edged higher in August, driven largely by higher-income households who are more insulated from rising prices. Even so, 48% of U.S. adults say tariffs are bad for the economy, compared with just 36% who see them as positive. A similar 48% believe tariffs are hurting their household finances.
Grocery Prices Drive Concern
The top source of anxiety continues to be grocery bills. Nearly eight in 10 Americans (79%) report noticing higher grocery prices, up from last month, and 42% say they are “very concerned” about the rising cost of essentials due to tariffs. Concern over gasoline prices, meanwhile, declined by 5 percentage points in August.
Generational and Income Splits
Younger Americans are growing more skeptical: Gen Z respondents have become less likely to view tariffs as beneficial for either the economy or their personal finances. By contrast, wealthy consumers are least concerned about the financial fallout, although they are the most likely to report spending more due to tariff-related costs.
Political Accountability
The survey also finds shifting views on who is responsible for tariff-related price increases. While many Americans continue to fault businesses, even Republicans are increasingly likely to hold President Trump responsible, underscoring the political risks associated with what many now refer to as “Trump’s economy.”
The tracker, which is updated monthly, surveyed approximately 2,200 U.S. adults between August 11 and 13, 2025, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.
