THE MAJORITY (72%) of Filipinos said they are concerned with the trade war between the United States and China, believing it could affect themselves and their families, according to the latest poll by public opinion research firm WR Numero Research.
The February report also found that only one in ten did not care about the issue, while 17% were unsure.
US President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday triggered a trade war with China by hiking the duties of imported Beijing goods to 20%, such as Chinese-made smartphones, laptops, smart watches and Bluetooth devices.
China swiftly retaliated with import levies covering about $21 billion worth of US agricultural and food products, Reuters reported, a move that could spark an all-out trade war between two of the world’s largest economies.
The Republican leader has dangled the threat of rolling out a universal tariff on all US imports, a key plank of his reelection bid, in an effort to protect American businesses from what he described as unfair foreign competition.
Moreover, four out of 10 Filipinos said they are uncertain about Mr. Trump’s presidency, with 32% expressing confidence in the US leader. A quarter of the respondents said they are opposed to him, according to the poll results.
The public opinion divide could be attributed to the “disinformation ecosystem” some Filipinos are engaged with, said Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University. “If people are plugged into it, they believe it and they will say so.”
Cleve V. Arguelles, WR Numero chief executive officer and president, noted the uncertainty is notable seen among those in the lowest income group, which he linked to a low level of awareness and lack of access to related information.
Mr. Trump’s foreign policy may see the US become isolated from the rest of the world, said Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a lecturer at the School of Diplomacy and Governance of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.
“This is because the second Trump regime seems to lean more towards isolationism or inward focus and are displaying some realist strategies,” he said via Facebook chat.
“This is understandable given that Washington seemed to have sacrificed its own national interests and order to ensure global peace and stability, hence this pivot to focus on activities where its interests can be best promoted,” he added.
The nationwide, non-commissioned survey was conducted from Feb. 10-18, 2025, through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,814 Filipinos aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
