Ohio Voters Express Discontent Over President Trump’s Tariff Policies in Latest Polling

Toledo, Ohio – In a new round of polling, Ohio voters have made their concerns clear about President Donald Trump’s economic policies, particularly his controversial tariffs. The survey, conducted by BSGU/YouGov in April, reveals a significant dip in the president’s approval ratings, especially when it comes to his trade initiatives. Despite winning Ohio with 55% of the vote in the 2016 election, Trump now faces mounting disapproval from voters in the state, with many voicing frustrations over the ongoing tariff policies.

According to the poll, 44% of Ohioans believe Trump’s first 100 days in office have been worse than expected. The sharpest criticism focuses on his trade policies, with nearly half of respondents (49%) asserting that the tariffs are hurting the United States. Of particular concern is the impact on the local economy, as 51% of those surveyed feel that the tariffs are having a negative effect on their personal finances.

Dr. David Seeger, a former CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union and current adjunct professor, offered insights into the situation. He noted that business leaders are struggling to navigate the uncertainty the tariffs have created. “CEOs are in a holding pattern,” Seeger explained. “They can’t make plans because they don’t know how they will be affected just yet.”

Seeger’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among Ohio voters, many of whom worry that the tariffs will disproportionately benefit the wealthy and large corporations. Over 60% of respondents expressed the belief that these policies would not benefit the working and middle class, small businesses, or foreign governments. In fact, 54% of those surveyed felt the tariffs would harm key industries in the state, including the auto industry and labor unions.

The tariff policies have drawn mixed reactions, with some hoping that the president’s hardline approach could lead to better trade deals. “We may get some trade deals with certain countries we couldn’t before, and hopefully that will have a positive outcome,” Seeger remarked, acknowledging the long-term potential for change. However, he also cautioned that the process of renegotiating trade agreements would be slow and complex. “There’s 187 countries to deal with, and doing one at a time—that’s going to take a while,” he said.

The polling also reveals that nearly half of Ohio voters (47%) still approve of how Trump is handling the presidency, though this is countered by 48% who disapprove of his leadership. This near split suggests that while Trump retains a significant portion of support, there is a noticeable erosion in his favorability, particularly in a state that was pivotal in his 2016 victory.

As the debate over tariffs and trade continues, Ohioans appear to be growing increasingly concerned about the economic consequences. With business leaders holding back on investments and workers uncertain about their futures, it remains to be seen how these policies will evolve and whether Trump can regain the support of key constituencies in the Rust Belt region.