American wallets are feeling feisty again.
Consumer confidence climbed to a five-month high of 61.7 in July 2025, according to the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Survey, even as President Trump’s tariff plans loom large, according to the Daily Wire.
This uptick, steady inflation, and robust 3% economic growth in Q2 2025 signal a public shrugging off progressive gloom. Yet, the sentiment score lingers below the 100 baseline, hinting at lingering economic caution.
The survey, dropped on July 28, 2025, shows a second straight month of rising optimism. “Perceptions of this month’s economic developments were similar across the political spectrum,” the report noted. Nice try, academics, but unity in optimism doesn’t mean everyone’s sipping the same Kool-Aid—Americans just want results, not rhetoric.
Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, originally set for April 2025, got a timeout. The White House announced on July 27, 2025, a new start date of August 7, 2025, to give Customs and Border Patrol time to gear up. Bureaucratic foot-dragging? Maybe, but it’s a small price for getting trade right.
The tariff plan is no lightweight jab. Countries with a U.S. trade deficit face a 10% universal tariff, while those with a surplus get slapped with at least 15%. Some nations could see rates as high as 41%, a bold move to level the playing field.
Trade deals with the EU, UK, Vietnam, and Japan are already inked, setting tariffs between 10% and 20%. Meanwhile, talks with China, Canada, and Mexico drag on. Sounds like Trump’s keeping the pressure on without sparking a trade war—yet.
The economy grew at a surprising 3% in Q2 2025, blowing past expert predictions. Despite the July jobs report showing weaker-than-expected job growth, unemployment held steady. Take that, doomsday economists who thrive on bad news.
Inflation, expected to spike with tariff talk, stayed flat year-over-year. The University of Michigan noted, “Their worries have softened since April 2025.” Funny how actual data quiets the panic peddled by the chattering class.
Consumer sentiment’s rise from June to July suggests Americans are betting on resilience. The 61.7 score, while no party, is the best since February 2025. People aren’t blind—they see growth and stability, not the apocalypse.
Trump’s tariff push is a gamble, but it’s calculated. A 10% baseline tariff on deficit countries and steeper rates for surplus nations aim to bring jobs back home. Critics call it protectionism; supporters call it fairness—guess which side’s tired of lopsided deals?
Over a dozen countries face tariffs from 19% to 41%, a range that screams “America first” without whispering “isolationism.” The secured trade agreements show diplomacy’s still in play. Woke globalists might clutch their pearls, but pragmatic trade policy isn’t their cup of tea.
Negotiations with China, Canada, and Mexico are ongoing, keeping the heat on strategic rivals and neighbors alike. Trump’s not rushing—good. Hasty deals benefit elites, not workers.
The University of Michigan’s report highlights a rare moment of bipartisan optimism. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all nudged upward in sentiment. Maybe folks are tired of being lectured about economic doom and just want to grill in peace.
Despite the tariff delay, confidence didn’t waver—proof Americans trust Trump’s economic instincts over media hysterics. The 3% growth rate and stable inflation back that up. Data trumps narrative every time.
Still, sentiment below 100 shows caution lingers. Consumers aren’t popping champagne yet, but they’re not hunkering down either. It’s a middle finger to the fearmongers, delivered with a smile.
