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    Analysis

    January 27, 2026

    Final Thoughts

    Written by Ethan Bernard

    The popularity of President Trump’s tariffs has stayed relatively stable across SMU’s survey results over the last year. In fact, between October 2025 and this month, that favorability has ranged between 46% and 51%, currently standing at 50%. But when opinion remains so split after a policy was implemented a year earlier, what does that say about the policy?

    According to our latest survey results, many think the outlook is murky.

    Ethan Bernard

    Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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