Australians fear Donald Trump’s tariffs more than China’s military build-up, according to a major poll.
The US president has mulled whether to slap further levies on sectors that would hit Australian producers hard, such as 250 per cent rates on pharmaceuticals.
While Australia managed to dodge a higher baseline rate earlier this month, exports to the US are still subject to a blanket 10 per cent impost.
Some exports, including steel, aluminium and copper, are hit with separate 50 per cent duties.
The latest Newspoll, published on Monday, found 42 per cent of the 1283 voters surveyed were more concerned by “Donald Trump’s tariffs” than “China’s military threat”.
But a looming conflict in the region was still a major worry – with 37 per cent putting it at as a greater concern.
Twenty-one per cent said they were neutral.
There was a clear political divide in the results, with 55 per cent of Labor and 60 per cent of Greens voters nominating tariffs.
50 per cent of Coalition voters put China as their primary fear.
Meanwhile, the poll showed more voters were satisfied with Anthony Albanese’s performance than not for the first time since September 2023.
It showed the Prime Minister 49 per cent of voters satisfied with his performance and 46 per cent dissatisfied.
The poll was taken from Monday to Thursday last week, coinciding with Mr Albanese’s announcement that he would recognise Palestinian statehood.
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