45% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of North Korea, a bump of 8 points since December
Donald Trump has made a point of keeping many of his campaign promises, whether or not Americans approve. He has withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, signed a tax cut bill, and now, ended US participation in the multi-nation Iran nuclear agreement. The latest Economist/YouGov Poll was conducted before Tuesday’s announcement of the US leaving the Iran pact, so it can’t measure reaction to it (though beforehand, more wanted America to remain than to leave that deal).
Nevertheless, the poll brings some positive gains for the President in public opinion. Nearly as many this week approve as disapprove of his performance in office, something that hasn’t happened since the beginning of his administration – 42% approve, 45% do not.
Americans have noticed the continued improvement in the state of the economy. On Friday, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.9%, its lowest rate in nearly 20 years. (It was 3.9% in the last quarter of 2000). This shifted how Americans view the economy. Last week, nearly as many thought the economy was getting worse as getting better. This week, the optimists clearly outnumber the pessimists.
Even most Republicans are not yet seeing much change in their own finances. 63% of Republicans believe the economy is getting better, but just 36% believe their own family’s financial status is better than it was a year ago. Few Republicans think it has gotten worse.
If good economic news is boosting assessments of the President and the future, so is one foreign policy area that also may be beyond the President’s control – the possibility of a major shift in relations between the United and North Korea. There is overwhelming public support for direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with Republicans the most enthusiastic. Only 9% overall oppose talks. The President receives good marks for how he is handling North Korea
This week’s rating is even higher than the positive assessment Americans had last week, and is a reversal from last year, when President Trump engaged in a war of insults with the North Korean leader. Then, far more disapproved than approved. There is growing hope, though many are still skeptical, that a Trump-Kim meeting will be a step forward to peace. For this first time, more say a meeting will be an important step forward than believe any meeting will be mostly for show.
Of course, success in North Korea is not entirely in the President’s hands. Most still see North Korea’s nuclear program as a threat to the United States, though just one in four perceive it as an immediate and serious threat. There is also some concern that the withdrawal from the Iran agreement could have a negative impact on North Korean negotiations. More say it will make it harder to achieve an agreement than think it will make it easier. But many aren’t sure whether or not it will matter.
Read more toplines and tables results here
Photo: Getty
