President Donald Trump’s approval rating has reached near-record levels, with a recent poll indicating a significant uptick in support despite backlash from Democrats, establishment Republicans, and mainstream media over his ambitious trade changes. According to a new survey conducted by J.L. Partners in collaboration with the Daily Mail, Trump’s approval rating rose to 53 percent, a notable four-point increase from the previous week’s 49 percent. The poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters between March 31 and April 3, showed that Trump’s popularity surged even amid the ongoing trade dispute and the stock market turbulence experienced on Thursday and Friday of the same week.
Surprising Poll Results Amid Market Uncertainty
The Daily Mail described the increase in Trump’s approval as “surprising” given the intense criticism the president faced over his tariff policies and the subsequent stock market drop. Despite these challenges, Trump’s favorability ratings appear to have risen, especially among key voter demographics. Notably, his approval among younger voters (aged 18-29) saw a remarkable 13-point increase from March 7, which signals a continued shift in the political landscape. This marks a significant rebound for Trump after the 2020 election, where this age group largely supported Joe Biden.
The poll also revealed that Trump’s approval rating increased by six points among registered Democrats and independents, demonstrating a broadening base of support beyond his core Republican voters. Furthermore, Trump saw a 17-point improvement in favorability among Black voters, suggesting his policies may be resonating with communities that were once more critical of his administration.
Economic Optimism: Trump’s Focus on Business and Jobs
As Trump approaches 100 days into his presidency, American employers and small business owners have largely given the president a favorable review. Many business leaders have expressed optimism about the future of the U.S. economy, even though the economy is still in the process of recovery. “I would give President Trump, right now, a pretty solid B+,” said TaChelle Lawson, the founder of FIG Strategy & Consulting, adding that Trump’s clear focus on economics and business has been appreciated by the business community.
Lawson, who is among the 50,000 small business owners surveyed, emphasized that Trump’s efforts to trim bureaucracy and focus on American business have gained significant respect. She noted that while the administration’s economic direction is solid, “the messaging could use a little bit of work.” Still, the survey data reveals a marked turnaround in the outlook for economic growth. More than two-thirds of small business owners now expect either “slow” or “robust” growth throughout the year, a stark contrast to the previously negative projections.
Small Business and Regulatory Reform
Small business owners are particularly enthusiastic about Trump’s efforts to reduce overregulation and cut through bureaucratic red tape that often hinders business growth. “What we’re seeing right now is we have a very sick economy, and it needs some very strong medicine. And if it gets that medicine, we all feel like we have a very strong economy that will win and will actually be a huge blessing to the entire world,” said RedBalloon CEO Andrew Crapuchettes, underscoring the optimism within the small business community.
PublicSquare CEO Michael Seifert echoed these sentiments, noting that small business owners are particularly excited about Trump’s approach to regulatory reform. “These small businesses are now feeling like we’re coming up on the 100-day mark of Trump’s presidency. They love the fact that one of the things that President Trump and this administration more broadly is tackling is the overregulation, the red tape seeded in bureaucracy that seeks to stifle business growth,” Seifert said.
Trade Relations: Vietnam and Tariffs
One of the key developments in Trump’s trade policy has been his ongoing discussions with international leaders to negotiate trade terms that benefit the U.S. On Friday, Trump announced a productive call with Vietnamese leader To Lam, during which To Lam expressed a willingness to eliminate tariffs in exchange for a new trade agreement with the U.S.
“Just had a very productive call with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who told me that Vietnam wants to cut their tariffs down to ZERO if they are able to make an agreement with the U.S. I thanked him on behalf of our country, and said I look forward to a meeting in the near future,” Trump wrote on social media.
This announcement sent shares of companies that rely on manufacturing in Vietnam, such as Nike, up by more than 4%, as the market reacted positively to the prospect of easing trade tensions. The Trump administration had imposed a 46% tariff on goods from Vietnam earlier in the week, and this new development signals the potential for negotiations that could ease some of the pressure on U.S. businesses.
The Trade War and the Broader Economy
While Trump’s trade policies have been a point of contention, particularly with the imposition of tariffs on various trading partners, the president has defended his approach as a necessary step to protect American industries and workers. The new tariffs and the ongoing trade war with countries like China and Vietnam are part of Trump’s broader “America First” trade policy, which aims to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and bring more manufacturing jobs back to the country.
Despite the economic uncertainty surrounding the tariffs, the latest poll indicates that a significant portion of the American public is supportive of Trump’s policies. His approval among voters aged 18-29, his broader support among Democrats and independents, and the positive feedback from small business owners suggest that the president is making headway in appealing to a wide range of constituencies, even if his trade policies remain controversial.
The Road Ahead: Economic Growth and Global Trade
As Trump heads into the second quarter of his presidency, economic growth and international trade will continue to be at the forefront of his agenda. With support from business leaders and positive shifts in public opinion, Trump is well-positioned to pursue further trade negotiations and regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening the U.S. economy.
While Trump’s trade policies have been a point of contention, particularly with the imposition of tariffs on various trading partners, the president has defended his approach as a necessary step to protect American industries and workers. The new tariffs and the ongoing trade war with countries like China and Vietnam are part of Trump’s broader “America First” trade policy, which aims to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and bring more manufacturing jobs back to the country.
Despite the economic uncertainty surrounding the tariffs, the latest poll indicates that a significant portion of the American public is supportive of Trump’s policies. His approval among voters aged 18-29, his broader support among Democrats and independents, and the positive feedback from small business owners suggest that the president is making headway in appealing to a wide range of constituencies, even if his trade policies remain controversial.
The Road Ahead: Economic Growth and Global Trade
As Trump heads into the second quarter of his presidency, economic growth and international trade will continue to be at the forefront of his agenda. With support from business leaders and positive shifts in public opinion, Trump is well-positioned to pursue further trade negotiations and regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening the U.S. economy.
The Take It Down Act and the administration’s focus on reducing corporate taxes, regulatory burdens, and trade imbalances signal a continued push for policies that favor American business and economic growth. While challenges remain, particularly with the ongoing trade disputes and market volatility, Trump’s presidency thus far has been marked by significant economic momentum, particularly among small businesses and key voter demographics.
The coming months will likely see continued scrutiny of Trump’s trade policies, but the rising approval ratings and growing optimism within the business community suggest that his approach may be resonating with a broad base of Americans, signaling a strong start to his term in office. As trade negotiations progress, Trump’s leadership on the global stage will continue to shape the future of U.S. economic policy.
