Trump's tariffs fall flat with US working class as businesses face 'crisis bigger than Covid'

Recent analysis and surveys indicate that former President Trump's tariffs have largely been met with disapproval from the U.S. working class, who primarily perceive them as contributing to higher consumer prices and an overall crisis of affordability. A Pew Research Center poll from February 2026 revealed that a significant majority of Americans disapprove of increased tariffs, with many believing they have negatively impacted their personal finances. Furthermore, a Washington Post report from April 2025 highlighted that more manufacturing workers anticipated tariffs would harm their employment rather than create benefits. This sentiment suggests that the tariffs have largely failed to resonate positively with many American workers, instead leading to increased costs and economic uncertainty.

American businesses, particularly small enterprises, have reportedly faced massive disruptions and financial strain due to the tariffs, alongside other economic pressures like surging fuel costs and elevated interest rates. Industry experts have described the current operational challenges as a "crisis bigger than Covid," citing severe supply chain volatility, increased costs, and unprecedented uncertainty. A report from the Joint Economic Committee - Minority in May 2026 indicated that small businesses with fewer than ten employees experienced considerably higher job losses in 2025 compared to the pandemic year of 2020, attributing these struggles to rising operating costs stemming from tariff policies. Investor sentiment also reportedly declined to levels worse than during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, signaling a significant economic downturn for many businesses.