AP-NORC Poll: Trump Scores High on Immigration, Low on Trade/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll shows Americans approve of President Trump’s immigration policies more than his handling of the economy and trade. While immigration remains a political stronghold, his tariff threats and economic policies are drawing increased skepticism — even among some Republicans.
Trump Gets Higher Marks on Immigration, Slips on Trade – Quick Look
- Poll Insight: 50% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s immigration approach, but only about 40% approve of his handling of the economy and trade.
- Trade Concerns: 6 in 10 disapprove of Trump’s approach to trade talks — his lowest-rated issue in the poll.
- Party Divide: About 7 in 10 Republicans support Trump on trade, compared to 9 in 10 on immigration.
- Broader View: Trump’s overall approval sits below 50%, with strong disapproval outpacing strong approval.
- Context: Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda is broadly supported, but economic fears, inflation, and tariffs may chip away at support.
Deep Look: AP-NORC Poll Shows Trump Strong on Immigration, Weak on Trade
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Immigration remains President Donald Trump’s strongest issue with voters, according to a newly released AP-NORC poll, while his handling of trade negotiations and the broader economy continues to receive more negative reviews — even among his base.
Roughly half of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of immigration, the poll finds. But his approval drops to about 4 in 10 on economic and trade issues. That marks a potential weak spot for the president as tariffs, inflation, and market instability begin to erode confidence in his fiscal leadership.
Immigration: A Consistent Stronghold
Despite ongoing legal and humanitarian controversy, Trump’s immigration stance continues to resonate with a large segment of the population.
His administration has moved swiftly in 2025 to deport undocumented immigrants, restrict refugee admissions, and crack down on foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. These efforts appear to be broadly popular with Trump’s core supporters, and even attract modest support from Democrats.
About 2 in 10 Democrats approve of Trump’s immigration policy — a small share, but double the number who back his economic approach or overall presidency. Among Republicans, support for Trump’s immigration agenda remains near-universal, with about 9 in 10 giving him high marks.
The results reflect continued support for Trump’s hardline immigration stance, which played a key role in his 2024 election victory and remains a top issue for his voter base.
Trade and the Economy: Slipping Confidence
While Trump capitalized on economic discontent during his campaign, the poll suggests that Americans are becoming more wary of his trade policies — particularly his frequent threats of new tariffs.
A striking 60% of U.S. adults disapprove of his performance on trade negotiations. Even among Republicans, support slips to about 70%, significantly lower than his immigration ratings.
The fallout from Trump’s tariff rhetoric has already rippled through consumer behavior and market confidence. According to consumer sentiment data, Americans have grown increasingly anxious in recent months, concerned about potential price hikes on imports, particularly in the automotive sector.
Trump argues that tariffs will boost domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, and shrink the deficit. But many economists warn that costs may ultimately be passed on to consumers — especially in key industries.
Economic Performance Still Uncertain
Trump’s current approval on the economy hovers at about 40%, a far cry from the 50% he enjoyed during his first term, according to historical AP-NORC polling. At that time, Americans rewarded him for stock market gains and low unemployment.
Now, however, voters are increasingly skeptical. Although inflation remains a top issue, and Trump beat Biden on that front in 2024, his ability to deliver price stability is in doubt.
Back in January, just weeks after his inauguration, another AP-NORC poll showed that few Americans believed Trump would quickly lower prices in his second term. That pessimism appears to have held.
Overall Job Approval Still Divided
Trump’s overall job approval remains underwater, with just 4 in 10 approving of his presidency and over half disapproving. More concerning for the president, strong disapproval (about 40%) exceeds strong approval (about 20%) — a potential red flag heading into the 2026 midterms.
Trump’s ratings on other major issues — such as foreign policy, Social Security, and governing competency — largely track with his overall numbers, without significant highs or lows.
Voter Priorities Are Shifting
According to AP VoteCast, a comprehensive survey of 120,000+ voters in 2024, those who prioritized immigration or inflation heavily favored Trump. However, 2025 has seen a shift, with economic anxiety outpacing immigration fears in some polls, a trend that could jeopardize his advantage.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s team faces a balancing act: maintain enthusiasm on immigration, while rebuilding confidence in his economic vision. If trade concerns continue to mount and consumer costs rise, the economic issue that helped deliver Trump to the White House in 2024 could just as easily undermine him in 2026.
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