Why Trump Voters Want Higher Tariffs and Migrant Deportations — Despite the Economic Risks

Why Trump Voters Want Higher Tariffs and Migrant Deportations — Despite the Economic Risks

It seems counterintuitive: Donald Trump is proposing policies that could raise taxes and costs for American families, yet millions of his supporters stand firmly behind him. One of his boldest economic promises is to impose higher tariffs on imports, which could raise annual expenses by more than £2,000 per family. At the same time, he’s pushing for the deportation of undocumented migrants — a move economists warn would shrink the labour force and harm economic growth.

But here’s the paradox: Despite the potential for economic harm, many of Trump’s supporters are not only unfazed by these proposals but are enthusiastically backing them. To understand why, we surveyed over 6,000 Yahoo Finance users, asking for their opinions on Trump’s key economic policies: tariffs, migrant deportation, and changing or repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The findings reveal a deep divide in attitudes between voters for Trump and his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

In this article, I’ll break down the three key economic policies Trump voters support, why they resonate with his base, and what it could mean for the future of American politics.

1. Why Do Trump Voters Want Higher Tariffs?

One of Trump’s core economic strategies is imposing higher tariffs on imports. Tariffs, in simple terms, are taxes placed on goods entering a country. The idea is that by making imported goods more expensive, domestic industries get a boost because consumers will opt for cheaper, locally-made products. The issue? Tariffs typically raise consumer costs. For example, in Trump’s case, it could increase family spending by an extra £2,000 annually.

Harris voters, and indeed most economists, are in agreement: 97% of those supporting Harris believe tariffs would raise prices and damage family budgets. However, only 4% of Trump voters share this view. In fact, 47% of Trump voters think tariffs won’t raise prices at all. Why?

• Mistrust of economists: Many Trump voters reject the economic consensus that tariffs hurt consumers. They believe that tariffs only hurt foreign producers, not Americans. Trump has repeatedly claimed that other countries — like China — pay these tariffs, even though the truth is that US importers foot the bill and pass those costs onto consumers.

• Economic nationalism: Many of Trump’s supporters see tariffs as part of a broader strategy to protect American jobs and industries from foreign competition. Even if prices rise, they believe it’s a price worth paying to bring back manufacturing jobs or hurt foreign competitors like China.

In their eyes, tariffs aren’t just about economics — they’re about patriotism, control, and standing up for American interests.

2. Deporting Migrants: The Economic vs. Emotional Debate

Another key plank of Trump’s platform is his promise to deport millions of undocumented migrants. Economists warn this would remove vital workers from industries like agriculture, healthcare, and construction, leading to labour shortages and shrinking GDP. For Harris voters, this is a dealbreaker: 94% of Harris voters reject deportation if it hurts the economy.

Yet 45% of Trump voters are in favour of mass deportation, even if it damages the economy. Why would they support something that economists say could lead to lower economic growth and higher costs for consumers?

• Economic competition: Many Trump voters believe that deporting undocumented migrants would open up jobs for native-born Americans. Trump has long argued that immigrants, especially undocumented ones, take jobs away from Americans and depress wages. Supporters see deportation as a way to level the playing field.

• Cultural and national identity: The support for deportations isn’t just about economics. Many Trump supporters are concerned about the changing demographics of the country and see mass deportation as a way to preserve a sense of national identity. Migration is often viewed through the lens of security and sovereignty, with many Trump voters believing that a strict immigration policy is necessary to maintain law and order.

In short, even if there are economic downsides, the desire to preserve American jobs and national identity outweighs those concerns for many Trump voters.

3. The Affordable Care Act: Why Some Want It Gone

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), or “Obamacare”, is one of the most polarising issues in modern American politics. The ACA has expanded health insurance to more than 40 million Americans, yet Trump has repeatedly promised to repeal it. Economists and Harris supporters argue that this would result in millions of people losing healthcare, leading to higher healthcare costs and less coverage.

Despite this, 47% of Trump voters believe that repealing the ACA would improve the US healthcare system, even though Trump has yet to propose a viable replacement. What’s behind this push?

• Distrust of government healthcare: Many Trump voters dislike the idea of the government being heavily involved in healthcare. They see the ACA as government overreach, preferring a system driven by the free market where competition can lower costs and improve quality.

• The promise of ‘something better’: Trump has often claimed he will replace the ACA with something better — though what that plan looks like remains unclear. Many of his supporters trust him to follow through, even if the details are vague.

For some Trump voters, the desire to dismantle the ACA comes down to faith in Trump’s leadership and their belief that he can deliver a superior system.

The Appeal of Trump’s Economic Policies

Trump’s policies may seem contradictory on the surface. Why would voters back a plan that raises tariffs, deports workers, and risks disrupting healthcare? But the answer is more nuanced:

• A rejection of experts: Trump voters often distrust mainstream economists and institutions. They believe these experts have failed to deliver on promises of economic prosperity and that their policies only benefit the elites. For these voters, Trump’s plans represent a break from the past — even if they seem economically risky.

• Cultural issues over economics: Many Trump supporters value cultural and national identity over short-term economic gain. They see policies like tariffs and deportations as necessary to protect American jobs and preserve the country’s character, even if there are economic trade-offs.

• The ‘Trump effect’: Finally, Trump’s personal charisma and outsider status play a big role. His supporters trust him to make decisions in their best interest, even if the details of his policies aren’t always clear or fully fleshed out.

Conclusion: The Future of Trump’s Economic Vision

As we approach the 2024 election, Trump’s economic agenda is becoming clearer — and more extreme. His plans for tariffs, mass deportations, and repealing the ACA could radically reshape the American economy. But for many of his voters, these changes are worth the risk.

If Trump wins the election and enacts his policies, we could see the biggest experiment in Trumpism yet. Whether this would lead to economic prosperity or disaster remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that Trump’s supporters are ready to take that gamble.

Learn More:

• Tariffs on imports (Learn about how tariffs impact consumer prices)
• Deporting undocumented migrants (Explore the economic effects of deportation)
• Affordable Care Act repeal (Discover the pros and cons of ACA repeal)
• US labour shortages (Read more about the impact of labour shortages)
• Healthcare reform (Find out more about the debate on US healthcare reform)