Americans' optimism about their personal finances soared to a four-year high after President Donald Trump's announcement this week that the U.S. and China had reached a temporary trade agreement.
According to polling conducted Monday and Tuesday by the Napolitan News Service, as reported by The Center Square — which happened before Trump announced trade agreements during trips to Saudi Arabia and Qatar — 31 percent of registered voters said their personal finances are getting better.
"That's up significantly from two weeks ago when 25 percent said 'better' and 36 said 'worse,'" Napolitan News Service said, adding: "Prior to this release, every survey since July 2021 has been net negative – more people saying their finances are getting worse than better."
While significant, as many of us believe, polls are polls, whether good, bad, or indifferent — all of which is in the eye of the politically predisposed reader. Moreover, while I suppose some people envision respondents to polls as at least somewhat informed, I'm more inclined to heed the words of late-comedian George Carlin, who admonished: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups."
Here's my point:
While polls are polls, results matter — to the objective among us, that is, and Trump is delivering in historic fashion on the promises he made throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, which is also garnering more support for him as his promised actions continue to produce positive results.
As I wrote in the headline, Democrats have been hardest hit.
As Trump announced on Monday, the two superpowers agreed to lowering tariffs on each other's imported goods from well over 100 percent as they continue trade negotiations:
We've achieved a total reset with China after productive talks in Geneva. Both sides now agree to reduce the tariffs imposed after April 2 to 10% for 90 days as negotiators continue on the larger structural issues.
While I wouldn't call a 90-day pause a "total reset," both Trump and the ChiComs have made concessions; a significant indication that they'd like to achieve a lasting agreement — that is, at least if or until China cheats, as is its long history.
While I'm neither a polling expert nor an expert in world economics and trade, I do possess a bit of common sense and objectivity. Trump's trade agreements with China, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar offer valid reasons for optimism about global economic stability and U.S. prosperity.
The U.S.-China deal, a 90-day tariff ceasefire, reduces trade war tensions by slashing tariffs—U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods drop from 145 percent to 30 percent, and China’s from 125 percent to 10 percent, potentially stabilizing global markets rattled by prior escalations. The pause also serves to hopefully advance negotiations to address the $295.4 billion U.S.-China trade deficit, in support of U.S. workers and businesses.
In Saudi Arabia, a $600 billion investment commitment, including a $142 billion arms deal, strengthens U.S.-Saudi ties, boosts U.S. defense industries, and creates jobs.
Qatar’s $1.2 trillion economic package, featuring a $96 billion Boeing order, would support 154,000 U.S. jobs annually, according to a White House fact sheet, and reinforce manufacturing.
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Yet, given the past, it's not unreasonable that skepticism remains in some quarters, largely due to past trade issues with China, and whether or not potential conflicts might exist with any of Trump's business ties — which of course the Democrat Party will hysterically claim.
If the 90-day pause does lead to a permanent agreement, it could drive what Trump calls a new "Golden Age" in U.S. manufacturing, aid in reducing or eliminating worldwide trade imbalances, and perhaps even lead to global economic integration agreements.
Oh, and a harder and longer hit to the Trump-loving Democrat Party, bless their hearts.
