NPR News: 05-12-2026 8PM EDT

President Trump is traveling to Beijing today for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, amid ongoing U.S. tariff debates highlighted by a new NPR/Chicago Council/Ipsos poll. The poll reveals most Americans view U.S. tariffs negatively, citing added costs like $20 extra on purchases and broader economic harm. While some, like North Carolina resident David Morgan, support tariffs to counter low-cost Chinese competition that sank his furniture company, the majority see cutting tariffs on China as a potential solution, though the poll's details trail off there.

U.S.-China Tariffs and Public Opinion

The NPR poll underscores widespread American skepticism toward tariffs, with respondents noting they inflate prices without securing better trade deals. Everyday impacts resonate: one person mentioned tariffs adding $20 to item costs, framing them as counterproductive. Supporters like Morgan argue they protect domestic industries battered by Chinese imports, such as furniture manufacturing. As Trump meets Xi, this public sentiment—favoring tariff reductions—signals pressure on trade policy, though the conversation doesn't detail expected outcomes from the summit.