Overview

• Republican leaders are giving President Trump time to pursue his aggressive tariff strategy but are setting an informal deadline for economic improvements, with voter patience expected to wane by summer or within a year.
• Trump’s tariffs, which have caused market volatility and higher prices, are contributing to falling approval ratings, with a majority of Americans reporting a negative outlook on the economy in recent polls.
• State and local GOP officials largely support the trade war, citing potential long-term benefits, but acknowledge that prolonged economic hardship could harm the party’s midterm election chances.
• Some Republican leaders are shifting blame for current economic challenges onto former President Biden and external factors, emphasizing the complexity of achieving a turnaround.
• The White House reports that over 100 countries have expressed interest in renegotiating trade deals, a claim used by Trump allies to argue that his strategy is yielding results.