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The Tariff Debate Has Exploded Online — And Consumers Are Worried
At RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING, we help brands and businesses understand what consumers really think — by analyzing millions of real conversations happening on social media every day.
Our latest research into online conversations about tariffs in the United States shows just how deeply this policy change is impacting everyday Americans.
In the last 7 days alone, there were 3.8 million social media posts about tariffs — a staggering 900% increase compared to March. And in just 24 hours? Over 1 million posts.
This isn’t just political chatter — this is personal.
Top Insights from RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING’s Social Listening Research on Tariffs
Key Finding 1: Consumers Are Overwhelmingly Negative About Tariffs
- 45% of online posts shared negative sentiment
- Only 3% were optimistic or positive
- Fear and anger are the dominant emotions
- Negative sentiment jumped 593% in the last 7 days
Key Finding 2: Americans Are Worried About Rising Costs
The biggest concerns from consumers:
- Higher grocery prices (18% of all tariff mentions)
- Increased cost of electronics and cars (10%)
- Fears of inflation, recession, and job insecurity
Popular viral posts speculated that sugar prices could double — igniting heated conversations about the everyday cost of living.
Key Finding 3: Small Businesses Are Feeling The Heat
- 5% of all posts came from small business owners
- Many fear reduced customer spending and rising costs
- Some shared plans to stockpile inventory ahead of price hikes
Key Finding 4: Patriotic Pride — But Lingering Skepticism
Even amid frustration, US pride shined through:
- The 🇺🇸 emoji generated 35 million impressions
- Slogans like “Making America Wealthy Again” were discussed by 3% of authors
However, the administration’s “Liberation Day” messaging didn’t catch on. Consumers stuck with hashtags like #tariff and #trumptariffs — used 5x more than #liberationday.
What This Means for Brands, Businesses & Policymakers
Consumers aren’t just watching policy changes — they’re feeling them.
From groceries to gas to retirement savings, tariff anxiety is reshaping online conversations in America.
How RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING Can Help
RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING is a leading consumer and market research agency specializing in social listening, digital analytics, and audience intelligence.
We help brands:
- Understand consumer behavior
- Track emerging trends in real-time
- Analyze online conversations at scale
- Make smarter business decisions based on real consumer insights
Want to know what your consumers are really saying online?
→ Get in touch with our team of social listening experts today.
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