Trump’s 'most beautiful word' becomes a political nightmare: WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts during an executive order signing on mail ballots, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., March 31, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci

President Donald Trump once claimed “tariff” is the “most beautiful word” in the dictionary. Now, the signature trade policy he made central to his economic agenda is haunting vulnerable Republicans

According to a Wall Street Journal analysis, Greg Ip reported that tariffs went from a potentially popular tool to protect American industry to a weapon Democrats are using against the GOP ahead of the midterms.

Many Republicans are unable to defend Trump’s tariffs even as Democrats throw attacks at them over the cost of living and businesses getting the raw end of the deal.

Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has called for the Trump admin to end the trade war with Canada.

“We need to end this tariff war now,” Rogers said in a campaign ad released earlier this month. Sitting at a bar with a Canadian beer, he argued that Michigan and Canada are not enemies.

The message matters in Michigan, where automakers and other manufacturers rely on trade with the neighboring nation. Rogers is in a tough race against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in a high-profile Senate race.

The Journal noted that, in a 2024 survey, tariffs enjoyed more support than opposition, before Trump returned to office and imposed sweeping import duties, which he called Liberation Day tariffs.

A recent Economic Innovation Group survey found that support for Trump’s tariffs among blue-collar workers shifted, with 58% opposing them and 36% supporting them, after previously supporting them narrowly in 2025.

A Pew Research Center survey released October 8 found that 56% of Americans expected Trump's tariffs to have a mostly negative effect on the country, while just 20% anticipated positive results.

Even among Republicans, there is not much faith in his landmark economic policy, with just 40 percent expecting mostly positive results, down from 52 percent in August 2025.

The Journal’s analysis put the problem down to timing, as Trump imposed his tariffs while Americans were already anxious about the price of groceries and household expenses. In addition, the president frequently making policy changes to his tariffs only increased the feeling of uncertainty.

Democrats are using the tariff chaos to pitch to voters that they will challenge them if they are put in control of Congress. However, Trump's veto authority could complicate any rollback.

With the midterms less than two weeks away, it is an urgent issue for Republicans who may lose their races when Trump’s favorite word keeps voters away.

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