New Poll Shows Majority of New Jersey Voters Believe Trump-Era Tariffs Raised Consumer Prices

According to a new poll, most New Jersey voters think Trump administration tariffs have raised the cost of daily products. By polling residents, Stockton University’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy revealed how trade policies affect the economy.

According to the survey, two-thirds of state voters believe tariffs raised prices. Between February 6 and 16, 700 registered voters participated in the poll. With a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points, researchers found a strong majority position in the state.

Most respondents related tariffs to price increases, but not all. 21% of voters believed tariffs did not affect prices. However, 8% said tariffs decreased products prices.

Voter responses were heavily influenced by party. 93 percent of price-hikers were Democrats. Although independent voters were more divided, 62% agreed that tariffs raised prices. Republican voters thought otherwise. Republicans only 22% said tariffs raised prices.

Republicans (51%), however, claimed tariffs had little influence on costs. Just around 20% of Republicans said tariffs reduced expenses. 8 percent of independents said prices dropped, while 23 percent claimed there was no impact. Four percent of Democrats claimed tariffs had no effect, and one percent said they lowered prices.

The tariff issue has reached the highest government levels. Recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling: a president cannot use 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose wide new tariffs. The court stated that the statute enables commerce regulation during national emergencies but not import taxation.

After the judgment, Senate Democrats urged the federal government to refund 175 million tariff revenue. They said the monies were collected under illegal directives.

In his State of the Union address, former President Donald Trump called the ruling regrettable. Tariffs provided government cash and boosted the economy, he said.

The poll shows voters’ divisions on trade policy and its economic repercussions. Many New Jerseyans worry about growing costs every day, and tariffs are part of the inflation and affordability issue. However, political identity strongly influences perceptions, demonstrating that trade policy remains a political and economic issue.

As federal legal and political disputes continue, New Jersey public opinion reflects the ongoing debate over how tariffs affect pricing, government revenue, and the economy. At a time when trade policy dominates national politics, the survey shows voter mood.