Updated · Chicago Council on Global Affairs · May 12
72% of Americans Call China Tariffs Harmful to Both Economies as 72% Back a Deal
Updated
Updated · Chicago Council on Global Affairs · May 12
72% of Americans Call China Tariffs Harmful to Both Economies as 72% Back a Deal
13 articles · Updated · Chicago Council on Global Affairs · May 12
66% of Americans say US tariffs on Chinese imports have hurt the US economy, while 72% say they have also damaged China’s economy, according to new Chicago Council-NPR-Ipsos surveys.
76% say the tariffs have worsened the US cost of living and 70% say they have hurt consumers like them, helping drive support for higher China tariffs down to 38% from 55% in 2024.
72% would support a deal that cuts tariffs in exchange for larger Chinese purchases of US agricultural exports, a position backed by majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans.
Republicans are split beneath that headline: MAGA Republicans largely view the tariffs as successful, while non-MAGA Republicans say they have hurt the United States and raised living costs.
The findings land as Donald Trump heads to Beijing for a summit with Xi Jinping, with trade tensions and broader economic strain from the US-Iran war shaping the talks.
Can the US lower consumer costs with a trade deal while also restricting China's access to high-tech products?
As the US is distracted by the Iran war, what concessions might China demand in the upcoming trade talks?
With Beijing's new rules penalizing supply chain moves, can US firms truly reduce their reliance on China?
U.S.-China Trade War 2026: Tariff Impacts, Public Opinion, and the Future of Global Supply Chains
Overview
The May 2026 Trump-Xi summit in Beijing marked a turning point in U.S.-China relations, as it was the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to China in nearly a decade. This meeting came after years of escalating trade tensions and U.S. restrictions on Chinese technology. Both countries agreed to pursue more cooperative ties, with Beijing emphasizing a commitment to strategic stability. Building on an earlier tariffs truce from October 2025, the summit established a framework to guide interactions for the next three years, aiming to prevent further escalation and provide much-needed economic relief for both nations.