Trump, tariffs and Canada: CNN's Harry Enten runs the numbers

Summary

This CNN segment features chief data analyst Harry Enten and Congressman Brendan Boyle discussing President Trump’s controversial tariff policy and its political fallout. Enten highlights a dramatic shift in public opinion: tariffs are now broadly unpopular, especially tariffs on Canada, a country Americans overwhelmingly favor over Trump. Boyle criticizes the tariffs’ economic harm and outlines partisan clashes over a looming government shutdown, healthcare cuts from recent tax legislation, and inflammatory rhetoric from some Republicans. He also raises ethical concerns about an anonymous multimillion-dollar donation to pay military salaries during the shutdown, warning of potential conflicts of interest.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trump's push for tariffs has become highly unpopular with the American public, with 60% opposing tariffs in 2025, compared to 52% in 2020.
• 😀 A significant shift in public opinion has occurred, with a 20-point margin now against Trump's tariffs compared to previous support.
• 😀 While tariffs were once more popular, the opposition to them is now one of the largest changes in Trump's second term.
• 😀 Canadian tariffs, which now have support from only 36% of Americans, highlight the decreasing favorability of Trump's trade policies.
• 😀 Canadians have much higher popularity in the U.S. (+49 points) than Trump, whose popularity stands at -10 points.
• 😀 U.S. citizens overwhelmingly prefer Canada over Trump, with Canada enjoying nearly 60 points more in net popularity.
• 😀 Trump’s antagonism toward Canada, a nation adored by Americans, contrasts sharply with his less favorable image.
• 😀 Canadians have significantly soured on the United States, with 48% now viewing the U.S. as a potential threat, up from 7% in 2023.
• 😀 The Trump administration’s trade policies are perceived as damaging to U.S.-Canada relations and harmful to U.S. interests overall.
• 😀 Pennsylvania Congressman Brendan Boyle criticizes Trump’s tariff strategy, arguing it harms American consumers and damages relationships with key trading partners.
• 😀 Boyle also condemns the Republican position on the government shutdown, emphasizing the unreasonableness of proposed health care cuts in the budget.
• 😀 The Pentagon’s decision to use a donation from a Trump ally to pay military salaries during the shutdown raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest and quid pro quo arrangements.

Q & A

What has been the impact of Donald Trump's tariff policies on American public opinion?

Trump's push for tariffs has been largely unpopular among Americans, with a significant shift in opinion from 52% supporting tariffs in November 2020 to 60% opposing them by the fall of 2025.

What did Harry Enten suggest about Trump's tariffs from a political perspective?

Harry Enten advised that, politically speaking, Trump should reconsider his tariff policies because they are deeply unpopular among the American public, marking a significant shift during his second term.

How does the U.S. public view Canada compared to Donald Trump?

Canada has a much higher net popularity rating in the U.S. (plus 49 percentage points) compared to Trump, whose net popularity rating is negative (-10 points). This stark contrast highlights how beloved Canada is among Americans.

What is the general sentiment of Canadians toward the U.S. under Trump's leadership?

Canadians have developed a more negative view of the United States, with 48% of Canadians now considering the U.S. a potential threat or enemy, largely due to Trump's actions and policies.

What is the political consequence of Trump's actions against Canada from a domestic perspective?

Trump's actions against Canada, which is highly popular in the U.S., could alienate American voters, as most Americans prefer Canada over Trump. This could hurt Trump's political standing and alienate potential supporters.

Why did Pennsylvania Congressman Brendan Boyle criticize Trump's tariffs on Canada?

Boyle argued that Trump's tariffs on Canada damage U.S. interests, particularly since Canada is a major trading partner and one of the U.S.'s closest allies. The tariffs negatively affect both American consumers and businesses.

How did Congressman Boyle respond to Trump's trade negotiations with China?

Boyle was skeptical of Trump's trade deal announcement with China, suggesting that it was insufficient and that Trump should not be praised for trying to resolve a problem he initially created with his policies.

What was Congressman Boyle's reaction to Republican Congressman McCormick's comment about negotiating with Democrats?

Boyle condemned McCormick's use of the term 'terrorist' to describe Democrats, calling it outrageous. He emphasized that the Democratic position on government shutdowns, which includes maintaining current healthcare benefits, aligns with the majority of public opinion.

What concerns did Congressman Boyle express about private donations to pay military personnel during a government shutdown?

Boyle acknowledged the generosity of the donor but expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest, as large private donations to the military during a government shutdown could be seen as part of a quid pro quo, raising ethical questions.

How does Congressman Boyle view the Trump administration's handling of healthcare cuts in the context of the tax bill?

Boyle strongly criticized the Trump administration's tax bill for including healthcare cuts, which would affect millions of Americans. He argued that these cuts were made to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, which is deeply unpopular with the public.