The Public's Worrying View on the Economy

A recent survey reveals that 59% of people think the current economic policies have made things worse. This is a significant increase from the 51% who felt this way just a few months ago. The general mood about the economy is pretty gloomy. Most people are not thrilled about the new trade policies coming from the White House. The survey shows that 6 in 10 people believe these policies have already raised the cost of living. Only a small group, 12%, thinks these policies have helped lower prices. The outlook for the next year doesn't look great either. 69% of people think a recession is likely, with 32% saying it's very likely. This is a tough time for many, especially younger people and people of color. 7 in 10 of those under 45 feel pessimistic or afraid, as do 76% of people of color. The survey also looked at how people feel about tariffs. 55% of Americans think the tariffs so far have been a bad idea, while 28% think they're good. Tariffs on Chinese goods are seen a bit more favorably, but still, 53% think they're bad policy. The survey was done after the White House announced new tariffs on many countries, then paused some of them. This back-and-forth has left many people confused. 58% of Americans don't think there's a clear plan behind these tariffs. Most people expect these tariffs to have negative effects in the short term. 72% think they'll hurt the economy, 60% think they'll harm America's standing in the world, and 59% think they'll hurt personal finances. Long-term views are a bit more mixed, but still, 53% expect the tariffs to hurt in the long run. Republicans are more hopeful, with 75% thinking the tariffs will help in the long term. The overall view of the economy is still pretty bad. Only 28% of Americans describe the economy as good, while 71% call it poor. This view has stayed the same since last fall. People's feelings about their own finances are also mixed. 47% say they're satisfied with their personal finances, but this number hasn't changed much in recent years. The survey also shows a divide between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans are more likely to say the economy is good, while Democrats are more likely to say it's poor. However, even among Republicans, there's some worry. While 94% have confidence in the current leader to handle the economy, only 63% say his policies have improved economic conditions. 23% credit him with lowering the cost of living. Many people are worried about rising prices for things like energy, medical services, and education. Some new concerns have also come up, like tariffs and the stock market. The survey was done with 1, 678 adults nationwide, using a mix of online and telephone interviews.