On The Money: Why More Americans Are Worried About Tariffs, Inflation, and Rising Costs
Polls show that 53% of Americans believe the economy is off track, driven by escalating tariffs, rising inflation, and surging food prices, including egg costs impacted by an avian flu outbreak.
Published on March 28, 2025
Recent polls indicate that 53% of Americans now feel the economy is off course, up from 43% in January. Many point to escalating tariffs and rising inflation as key factors behind their concerns. Specifically, there has been notable anxiety over food prices, with egg costs rising sharply—after a significant avian flu outbreak affected chicken populations and increased feed costs, a dozen Grade A eggs were reported at nearly $4.95 in January.
In addition, a growing number of older Americans have turned to sharing housing to manage soaring living expenses. Supplemental reports from March 2025 highlight that global trade tensions, tariff escalations, and a sluggish economic growth have further dampened consumer sentiment, reinforcing widespread caution in spending and forecasts of a challenging economic outlook for the coming months.