President Donald Trump’s second term is already colliding with voter concerns over the economy, immigration and tariffs. As his approval ratings falter, domestic political forces may reshape U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific. At the Trump administration’s six-month mark, voters are growing uneasy. According to a July 16-20 Wall Street Journal poll, majorities disapprove of the president’s handling of key issues such as foreign policy (51 per cent), inflation (55 per cent), immigration (51 per cent), the economy (53 per cent) and tariffs (57 per cent).

Mr. Trump’s job approval is also underwater with 46 per cent of voters approving and 52 per cent disapproving of his performance in office. These concerns are colliding with an economic slowdown ~ one marked by stalled hiring, declining private investment and mounting uncertainty caused by aggressive deportations and an unpredictable tariff regime. Adding to the unknowns is a lack of clarity as to who is available for hire given the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation of foreign-born labourers. Although voters have reservations about Mr. Trump, voters trust Republicans more than Democrats on handling a variety of policies. According to the poll, Congressional Democrats lag Republicans on immigration (28 per cent to 45 per cent), the economy (27 per cent to 38 per cent) and on inflation (28 per cent to 38 per cent). The only policy areas where Democrats are favoured more than Republicans are in healthcare (40 per cent to 26 per cent) and vaccines (40 per cent to 31 per cent).

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Concerning deportations, polls indicate that voters are happy with removing illegal aliens who have committed crimes.........

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