Americans’ confidence in their personal financial outlook has surged to its highest level in four years following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a temporary trade agreement with China. According to a new Napolitan News Service poll, 31% of registered voters now say their finances are improving, matching the highest level since July 2021.
The polling, conducted on Monday and Tuesday, shows a dramatic improvement from two weeks earlier when only 25% reported better financial conditions and 36% said things were getting worse. In late October 2024, just before the presidential election, those saying their finances had worsened stood at 41%.
The recent shift follows Trump’s announcement that the United States and China had agreed to mutually lower tariffs on imported goods to 10% for 90 days. This reduction applies to tariffs imposed after April 2, as both nations continue discussions on long-term trade issues. Trump described the outcome as a “total reset” after productive negotiations in Geneva.
Markets responded immediately to the news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 2.8%, the S&P 500 rose 3.26%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 4.3%, signaling investor approval of the tariff rollback and easing trade tensions.
According to the Napolitan News Service, the survey of 1,000 registered voters, conducted by pollster Scott Rasmussen and RMG Research, is the first net-positive report on personal financial sentiment since mid-2021. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1%.
This positive trend in public sentiment represents a notable turnaround in economic confidence, coinciding with renewed international cooperation and a market rally fueled by lower trade barriers.
The surge in optimism comes as Americans continue to face inflation pressures, housing affordability challenges, and fluctuating energy costs. Despite these ongoing concerns, the public appears encouraged by signs of economic stability tied to reduced international tensions and market-friendly policies. The timing of the trade deal, announced early in President Trump’s new term, may also signal a broader shift in economic priorities, focusing on restoring manufacturing competitiveness and easing consumer costs through tariff relief.
