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NDTV
11-08-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Should Trump Have Imposed Tariff On India Over Russian Oil? Survey Finds...
America shouldn't have imposed tariffs on India over its exports of oil from Russia, a survey by a US-based think tank found. While 53 percent of respondents said the move was wrong, 43 percent were for it, the survey by the Democracy Institute showed. US President Donald Trump last week ordered steeper tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil, opening a new front in his trade wars. Trump's additional 25-percent tariff on Indian goods, set to come into place in three weeks, stacks atop a separate 25-percent duty. This takes the level to 50 percent for many products - among the highest on any American trading partner. "Given American voters' strong support for protectionist tariffs in principle, that's a surprising response," said Patrick Basham, founding director of the Democracy Institute and its lead pollster. The respondents were evenly divided (44% to 44%) on the question of whether Trump's new tariffs were good for America. Mr Basham noted that, "Although Americans remain steadfast in their support of Trump's tariffs as an instrument of industrial policy, they are unimpressed by his increasing use of tariffs to leverage geopolitical decisions on his allies." A majority (53 percent) of the sample also said that they cared about America's image in front of the Indian government and the people. Earlier, Trump had remarked that India was a "dead economy" and that he didn't care how New Delhi dealt with Moscow. "I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care," Trump had said in a social media post on August 3. After imposing the staggering 50 per cent duty, Trump ruled out any trade talks between the two countries until the tariff issue was resolved. "No, not until we get it resolved," Trump said in the Oval Office in response to a question on whether he expects more trade negotiations with India after doubling the tariffs on Indian imports to 50 per cent. An overwhelming number (64%) of the respondents believed that India's growing economic influence globally was a "good thing". Prime Minister Modi was perceived as leading a successful government and a reliable ally, according to the survey. A large majority (59 percent to 38 percent) of the respondents said that PM Modi's leadership was good for America. The only negative response, as far as India is concerned, was over a question on the H-1B visa. More than 60 percent supported ending the H-1B professional visa programme that currently sees lakhs of highly skilled Indians employed in American businesses. "The argument that H1-B visas prioritise foreigners, especially Indians, over American workers, and thereby take jobs away from Americans, resonates very strongly with the American people," observed Mr Basham. The telephone survey was conducted among 1,500 likely American voters between August 3 and August 5. The government today said that nearly 55 percent of India's merchandise exports to the US will be subject to the tariff imposed by the Trump administration. "The Department of Commerce is engaged with all stakeholders, including exporters and industry, for taking feedback of their assessment of the situation," Pankaj Chaudhary, junior finance minister, said in a written response. The Ministry of External Affairs hit back at the US for targeting it over Russian oil imports, terming the move "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable".
International Business Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- International Business Times
Trump's Approval Rating Tanks as MAGA Base Turns on Him with Epstein Files Silence
US President Donald Trump has faced severe criticism recently over his government's response to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Now his approval rating has slipped to a record low as he appeared vague when questioned about the Jeffrey Epstein files. The latest poll from the Democracy Institute finds that half of all Americans now disapprove of his job performance, while 48 percent approve. A mere 2 percent said they didn't know. Trump's refusal to release the Epstein "client list" is believed to be the most likely explanation for the decline. The Justice Department had previously said Epstein killed himself and that there was no evidence to support a list of more powerful people implicated in crimes. Despite the DOJ's findings, many Trump fans are convinced that there is a secret list. Roughly 67% of MAGA voters who supported Trump last year, meanwhile, now say they are angry about his inaction. First-time voters in 2024 are even more downcast, with 71% disapproving of Trump's handling of the issue. Sixty percent of independent voters held similar sentiments. Overall, 63 percent of Americans said they disapprove of Trump's handling of the Epstein case. Trump had previously suggested that he would make the Epstein files public if he were re-elected. During a July 15 press availability, however, he waved off questions about his name cropping up in the files. He alleged the papers were phony and fabricated by former FBI Director James Comey, President Joe Biden's team, and former President Barack Obama. Trump offered no evidence to support these claims. According to current President, these files were created by Comey, Obama, and Biden. It's a conspiracy theory like the Russia hoax. He also sidestepped addressing specifically whether evidence included a mention of his name in the Epstein documents. When questioned whether Attorney General Pam Bondi has informed him about the issue, he replied, "She's given us just a very quick briefing." Some supporters of President Trump suspect that the list is being concealed by the FBI. A list indeed exists, FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, have said, and they have denounced the "deep state" for hiding the list. Trump's popularity among voters is being tested as the 2024 election approaches. Most GOP voters still have a favorable impression of him, but his 'KD ratio' is going to dip if he refuses to speak on the Epstein issue.
Irish Daily Star
28-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Star
Canadians make their feelings clear on which candidate will stand-up to Trump best
An exclusive poll found that Canadians believe Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney is most likely than other viable candidates to stand up to United States President Donald Trump . The Democracy Institute spoke to 2,160 likely Canadian voters between April 22-24 to gauge the country's pulse ahead of the snap federal elections on Monday following the resignation of longtime liberal leader Justin Trudeau . In addition to finding that a huge swath of Canadians feel the country is heading in the "wrong direction," the poll found that 43% of respondents believe Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trudeau's successor, is the "best" leader to "stand up" to President Trump amid the tense tariff trade wars, in which both countries have slapped on retaliatory levies. In response to backlash, the Trump administration later issued a 90-pause against all except China . Respondents believe that Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, successor of Justin Trudeau, is most likely to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump If you can't see the poll, click here . Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles Melania Trump shows true colors with three-word command to Donald during Pope's funeral Prime Minister Carney beat out opposition leader of the Conservative party Pierre Poilievre, who earned 37% of the vote, followed by left-wing Bloc Québécois's Yves-François Blanchet with 11%, left-wing New Democratic Party's Jagmeet Singh with 4%, left-wing Green Party's Elizabeth May, right-wing People's Party of Canada's Maxime Bernier and 3% voting unsure. The new Canadian prime minister has come out strongly against the Trump administration as tensions soar amid the tariff trade wars, saying in March upon taking office, "We didn't ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves." In a major swipe, he added, "The Americans, they should make no mistake. In trade as in hockey, Canada will win." The Trump campaigned had warned that it was eyeing tariffs during the 2024 campaign trail, which then-Vice President Kamala Harris billed as a national sales tax. Upon entering office, the Trump administration laid bare its plans and sent shockwaves through the stock market after announcing its widespread tariffs on "Liberation Day" on April 2.
Irish Daily Star
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
Terrified Canadians fear country is going in 'wrong direction' as alarming poll exposes fears
Canada is gearing up for a crucial election , and a poll of citizens shows that more than half of the people found the country is headed 'in the wrong direction.' A poll conducted by The Express US and The Democracy Institute asked participants if Canada is currently heading in the right or the wrong direction as a country, with 66 percent answering 'wrong direction.' Only 31 percent found that country was headed in the right direction. Canadians are fuming over Donald Trump's relentless challenges to their nation's independence, sparking a wave of patriotism that's given the Liberals a boost in the polls. This is one of the many issues that voters need to consider. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles Trump struggles to hide mystery bruise with makeup despite 'excellent health' claims A poll shows that many Canadians fear the direction the country is going in (Image: Democracy Institute) On March 23, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament, triggering the snap election, to take place on Monday, April 28. The election will decide which party remains in power: the Liberal Party, under the leadership of Carney, or the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre. The rising cost of living, energy, climate change, tax cuts, defense spending, and housing are just some of the top issues for Canadian citizens. A poll shows that many Canadians fear the direction the country is going in (Image: Democracy Institute) When asked which party most closely shares their values, 38 percent answered the Conservative Party, while 31 percent said the Liberal Party, 15 percent chose the New Democratic Party, and 5 percent selected the Bloc Québécois. About 43 percent also said they thought Carney would be the most effective at standing up to Trump , while 37 percent said Pierre Poilievre, of the Conservative party, could do the job. The poll, which sampled opinions from 2,160 likely Canadian voters, was conducted by the DI polling unit from April 22 to April 24, 2025. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is leading in many polls (Image: AP) The Liberals and the country's new prime minister, Mark Carney, looked headed for a crushing defeat in Monday's election until the American president started attacking Canada's economy and even threatening its sovereignty, including suggesting it should become the 51st state. Trump's dumping on Canada has infuriated its people and stoked a surge in Canadian nationalism that has helped the Liberals flip the election narrative. 'Trump has immersed himself into our lives and has defined the ballot question,' former Quebec Premier Jean Charest said. 'What Trump has done is shed light on who we are,' he said. Even separatists in French-speaking Quebec 'are very much aligned with other Canadians in defending the country and responding very firmly to the fact that we're not going to be the 51st state,' Charest said. The opposition Conservative Party's leader, Pierre Poilievre, hoped to make the election a referendum on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose popularity declined toward the end of his decade in power as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged. But Trump attacked, Trudeau resigned and Carney , a two-time central banker, became the Liberal Party's leader and prime minister. 'We were looking at a scenario where the Conservatives were going to rake in a huge majority,' said Charest, a Conservative. 'Here we are months later in another world.' Carney said the 80-year period when the U.S. embraced the mantle of global economic leadership and forged alliances rooted in trust and respect is over. 'The key question in this election is who is the best to respond that. Who will stand up to President Trump?' he said.
