Trump’s Approval Ratings Climb as Trade Truce Sparks Economic Optimism

President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are showing signs of life, inching upward in a fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted May 12-13, 2025. The survey pegs Trump at 44% approval and 52% disapproval, a modest two-point uptick from last month’s numbers, though still within the margin of error. The economy seems to be the wind beneath his wings, with 39% of Americans giving him a nod for his handling of it—up three points from April.

The timing couldn’t be more telling. A recent U.S.-China trade truce has sent stock markets soaring, and Trump’s initial trade deal with the United Kingdom, signed just last week, is starting to ease the public’s recession jitters. The poll shows 69% of respondents are worried about a recession, down from 76% a month ago, while stock market concerns dropped to 60%, a seven-point decline.

Trump’s bold tariff moves in April rattled global markets and sparked trade tensions, but his recent pivot to softer measures appears to be paying off—at least for now. Political analyst Wayne Lesperance notes that deals with Britain, China, and possibly India are giving Americans a glimmer of hope. Add to that lower gas prices as summer kicks off, and Trump might just be carving out some breathing room.

Still, the president’s numbers remain underwater in most polls, a far cry from the optimism of his second-term honeymoon in January. Veteran strategist Colin Reed argues Trump’s base is willing to give him time to make tough calls, with the 2026 midterms as the real test. For now, the economic plane might just have enough runway to take off.