As Donald Trump positions himself once again as the ultimate dealmaker, new polling reveals widespread mistrust among both Americans and Britons — not of the U.S.-U.K. Trump trade deal itself, but of the Trump Trade strategy behind it.”
Although most support the trade deal itself, doubts regarding Trump’s reliability threaten its success as an easy trade partnership to secure.
At a critical juncture in global politics, China is rapidly filling the vacuum left by America’s unpredictable trade leadership.
New Research Shows Support for Trump Trade Deal, but Not Trump
A reputable transatlantic research firm recently conducted a poll showing that adults from both the U.S. and UK largely support an agreement between their countries on trade. Yet only 44% of American respondents and less than one third of British respondents believe Donald Trump would keep his word and uphold this deal.
Skepticism of President Trump runs deep even within his base: 25% of Trump voters and 36% of independents expressed uncertainty regarding his ability to fulfill trade agreements.
U.S. trade officials recently unveiled a deal framework intended to reduce tariffs on British exports like cars, steel, and aircraft parts while opening British markets to U.S. agriculture, ethanol, and industrial goods. Yet trust remains the primary impediment.
Tariff Backlash Undermines U.S. Trustworthiness
Trump’s first administration left behind an uncertain Trump Trade legacy, marked by 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum which caused significant disruptions for British automotive and manufacturing industries despite a trade surplus between both countries.
This pattern of applying tariffs only to withdraw or reinstate them later has created significant doubts about America’s reliability, with 47% of Americans citing Trump’s unpredictable nature as the main barrier to successful negotiations.
Not just America is feeling its impact; across the Atlantic, 42% of British respondents ranked China as more reliable Trump Trade partner than America; particularly among younger demographics such as those aged 34 or younger in Britain who now view China as their more reliable economic ally.
Public Opinion on Tariffs Is Middling
According to a similar poll, Donald Trump’s tariff strategy remains unpopular with Americans at home; only 34% support it while 48% of independents specifically oppose it.
American respondents appear less concerned with specifics of the U.S.-U.K trade deal such as opening agricultural markets or reducing tariffs than they are with whether President Donald Trump will follow through and implement it effectively than with its details.
China Expanding Their Strategic Advantage
While Trump touts new Trump trade deals, China is playing the long game–offering calculated engagement at every stage. After Trump announced a tariff regime on April 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping made visits to several Asian and European nations to strengthen economic alliances and position China as a reliable trading partner.
Trump’s use of trade as a political weapon, with unpredictable tariffs coming and going at will, has raised worries that countries once considered allies may now lean closer towards Beijing.
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What Is Next for U.S. Trade?
With distrust enveloping U.S.-related trade relations on an upward path, this poses serious questions: can Trump adapt his Trump trade message before driving allies away and can the U.S. remain global economic leadership even when partners no longer trust its promises?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged this tension ahead of U.S.-China talks, noting there’s still “a long, uncertain road ahead.”
As Trump faces more challenging trade negotiations both domestically and abroad this summer trade schedule heats up all eyes will be watching to see how he navigates these hurdles successfully.
As tensions rise and skepticism deepens around the U.S.-U.K. trade deal, broader concerns are emerging about America’s role as a stable economic partner under Donald Trump’s leadership.
For decades, the United States positioned itself as the cornerstone of global commerce —reliable, rules-based, and supportive of free trade. However, Trump’s unconventional tariff strategy and erratic policy swings have damaged that perception.
Allies such as the United Kingdom, once among the most loyal economic partners, are now voicing doubts not about trade benefits, but about the sustainability of American commitments. With a deal on the table to reduce tariffs on British automotive and steel exports and increase access for U.S. agricultural and industrial products, the framework should have been a diplomatic win.
Instead, it has become a case study in how volatile leadership can overshadow economic cooperation. The fact that 42% of British adults especially younger generations now view China as a more reliable partner speaks volumes about the long-term impact of American unpredictability.
Trump trade-first, diplomacy-later model may play well with certain domestic constituencies, but it is pushing allies toward economic blocs like the EU and China, where consistency and strategic patience are prioritized. China, in contrast, is capitalizing on this moment, advancing a coordinated charm offensive that highlights stable Trump trade relationships and infrastructure investment.
As Donald Trump seeks to reassert himself as the mastermind behind global trade negotiations, recent polling has exposed significant doubts among both Americans and Britons. While the U.S.-U.K. trade deal itself receives general support, it’s the Trump Trade approach that raises concern.
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