70% Disapprove: Poll Shows Trump's Foreign Policy Costs Him Support

Donald Trump faces a 70% disapproval rating among voters regarding his handling of the Iran war and the economy, according to a recent AP-NORC survey. This dissatisfaction coincides with a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and Kyiv, a move that has energized Ukrainian American voters in Pennsylvania ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. In Jenkintown, a suburb of Philadelphia, retired teacher Irene Skulsky told a gathering that the community must vote with Ukraine in its hearts, regardless of party lines. Skulsky cited a recent Russian drone attack in Kyiv that killed several people in vehicles ahead of her son, Darko, an incident she attributed to the US suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

The US administration has taken several steps that have alienated traditional allies. President Trump struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to purchase nearly five million tonnes of diesel, a move that overrode existing sanctions. He also called for Ukrainians to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his administration was accused of limiting Ukrainian access to Starlink satellite internet. While the White House denied stopping intelligence sharing, Zelenskyy stated his country received no advance warning of two recent Russian missile attack waves. These actions follow a campaign pledge by Trump in 2024 to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of returning to office.

Economic concerns further complicate the political landscape for Republicans. Trump’s war with Iran, launched in February alongside Israel, has shown no signs of ending despite early claims of a short-term excursion. The conflict has led to the closure of the strait of Hormuz, a key energy choke point, causing global oil prices to soar. These higher fuel costs have been passed on to US consumers. Simultaneously, Trump’s tariffs on imports from much of the world have increased costs for manufacturers by raising the price of raw materials like steel, copper, and aluminum. Polls indicate that voters are critical of both the war and the resulting inflation.

Trade tensions with Canada have also intensified. After bilateral trade talks collapsed in August, the US imposed tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian imports, including cars, forestry products, and dairy. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney led a retaliatory response. In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers released an ad calling on Trump to end the trade war, stating that Canada is not an enemy. These foreign policy decisions have created a rift within the Republican base, particularly among voters who see foreign policy as the primary issue.

Eugene Luciw, a representative for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, noted that foreign policy is the number one issue for American Ukrainians. He estimated that more than 75% of those who previously supported Trump have now abandoned him due to the diesel deal with Putin. In Philadelphia, where approximately 60,000 people of Ukrainian descent reside, long-time Republicans are considering voting for local Democrats. Peter Hewuka, an 88-year-old retired nuclear physicist and former Trump voter, said he is hesitant to vote Democrat but feels the Republican party has left them behind.

The next major diplomatic event is scheduled for next month, when Trump is set to travel to China to meet President Xi Jinping. This follows a summit in Beijing earlier this year and a visit by Xi to the White House. Trump has relied on Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as primary negotiators for issues including Iran, Gaza, and Ukraine. Witkoff recently praised Putin as a humanitarian after the Russian president agreed to release Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old US citizen who had been imprisoned in Russia. The upcoming midterm elections will test whether these foreign policy shifts will translate into a shift in the balance of power in Congress and the Senate.