Manufacturers Down on Trump; Loathe Tariffs

'No clear plan on tariffs. On again/off again. NOBODY works like that in manufacturing.'
Feb. 27, 2025
6 min read

Manufacturing leaders expressed net disapproval of President Donald Trump’s performance in office so far, especially the threat of tariffs that could disrupt businesses.

And those who dislike the president’s actions are very vocal about it. In a poll conducted by IndustryWeek following Trump’s first month in office, nearly 53% of 1,100+ responses were "negative" or "very negative." And those holding poor views of the president had more to say than those applauding his performance.

About the Author

Laura Putre

Laura Putre

Senior Editor, IndustryWeek

As senior editor, Laura Putre works with IndustryWeek's editorial contributors and reports on leadership and the automotive industry as they relate to manufacturing. She joined IndustryWeek in 2015 as a staff writer covering workforce issues. 

Prior to IndustryWeek, Laura reported on the healthcare industry and covered local news. She was the editor of the Chicago Journal and a staff writer for Cleveland Scene. Her national bylines include The Guardian, Slate, Pacific-Standard and The Root. 

Laura was a National Press Foundation fellow in 2022.

Got a story idea? Reach out to Laura at [email protected]

 

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