Trump's foreign-policy emphasis meets voter worries over cost of living
A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows President Trump’s approval at a record low as voters prioritize rising prices, while the president continues high-profile diplomatic trips and a state visit by China’s Xi Jinping.
President Donald Trump has spent much of the post-Labor Day period on international engagements, including a two-day trip to Ireland, a speech at the United Nations and a three-day visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping that featured a red-carpet arrival, a tour of the National Archives and a state dinner. Trump said the meeting with Xi was "very productive" and highlighted cooperation on technology, security and artificial intelligence.
Senator Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the lavish welcome for Xi, telling the Senate floor that he would have advised against such an event given "troubling issues" with the Chinese Communist Party. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded that high-level contact between the United States and China is "responsible" and "outrageous" to avoid.
Polls released in September indicate that voters are increasingly dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of the economy and foreign affairs. A Reuters/Ipsos survey of 1,277 adults found Trump’s overall approval at 32 percent, with only 17 percent approving his handling of the cost of living, the top issue for voters. A Quinnipiac University poll showed roughly two-thirds of respondents disapproved of his approach to the war in Iran and other foreign-policy matters.
Republican candidates in several states have begun to distance themselves from Trump’s stance on the Iran conflict, citing rising gas and diesel prices that are affecting rural voters. Some have called for an end to the war or for the removal of Trump’s endorsement from campaign materials.
During his UN address, Trump emphasized investment in the United States, lower crime rates and border security, while also threatening to "annihilate" Iran and predicting the collapse of Cuba’s government. He argued that any economic hardship is justified to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on September 16, the first increase since July 2023, shortly after Trump’s Ireland visit where he advocated for the lowest possible rates. Republican Representative Jason Smith echoed Trump’s call for lower borrowing costs, saying American families have waited too long for relief.
Overall, the administration’s focus on foreign policy contrasts with voter concerns about high prices for groceries, gas, healthcare and utilities, which are shaping expectations for the upcoming midterm elections.