President Donald Trump’s approval rating has reached near-record levels, with a recent poll indicating a significant uptick in support despite backlash from Democrats, establishment Republicans, and mainstream media over his ambitious trade changes. According to a new survey conducted by J.L. Partners in collaboration with the Daily Mail, Trump’s approval rating rose to 53 percent, a notable four-point increase from the previous week’s 49 percent. The poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters between March 31 and April 3, showed that Trump’s popularity surged even amid the ongoing trade dispute and the stock market turbulence experienced on Thursday and Friday of the same week.

Surprising Poll Results Amid Market Uncertainty

The Daily Mail described the increase in Trump’s approval as “surprising” given the intense criticism the president faced over his tariff policies and the subsequent stock market drop. Despite these challenges, Trump’s favorability ratings appear to have risen, especially among key voter demographics. Notably, his approval among younger voters (aged 18-29) saw a remarkable 13-point increase from March 7, which signals a continued shift in the political landscape. This marks a significant rebound for Trump after the 2020 election, where this age group largely supported Joe Biden.

The poll also revealed that Trump’s approval rating increased by six points among registered Democrats and independents, demonstrating a broadening base of support beyond his core Republican voters. Furthermore, Trump saw a 17-point improvement in favorability among Black voters, suggesting his policies may be resonating with communities that were once more critical of his administration.

Economic Optimism: Trump’s Focus on Business and Jobs

As Trump approaches 100 days into his presidency, American employers and small business owners have largely given the president a favorable review. Many business leaders have expressed optimism about the future of the U.S. economy, even though the economy is still in the process of recovery. “I would give President Trump, right now, a pretty solid B+,” said TaChelle Lawson, the founder of FIG Strategy & Consulting, adding that Trump’s clear focus on economics and business has been appreciated by the business community.

Lawson, who is among the 50,000 small business owners surveyed, emphasized that Trump’s efforts to trim bureaucracy and focus on American business have gained significant respect. She noted that while the administration’s economic direction is solid, “the messaging could use a little bit of work.” Still, the survey data reveals a marked turnaround in the outlook for economic growth. More than two-thirds of small business owners now expect either “slow” or “robust” growth throughout the year, a stark contrast to the previously negative projections.

Small Business and Regulatory Reform

Small business owners are particularly enthusiastic about Trump’s efforts to reduce overregulation and cut through bureaucratic red tape that often hinders business growth. “What we’re seeing right now is we have a very sick economy, and it needs some very strong medicine. And if it gets that medicine, we all feel like we have a very strong economy that will win and will actually be a huge blessing to the entire world,” said RedBalloon CEO Andrew Crapuchettes, underscoring the optimism within the small business community.

PublicSquare CEO Michael Seifert echoed these sentiments, noting that small business owners are particularly excited about Trump’s approach to regulatory reform. “These small businesses are now feeling like we’re coming up on the 100-day mark of Trump’s presidency. They love the fact that one of the things that President Trump and this administration more broadly is tackling is the overregulation, the red tape seeded in bureaucracy that seeks to stifle business growth,” Seifert said.

Trade Relations: Vietnam and Tariffs

One of the key developments in Trump’s trade policy has been his ongoing discussions with international leaders to negotiate trade terms that benefit the U.S. On Friday, Trump announced a productive call with Vietnamese leader To Lam, during which To Lam expressed a willingness to eliminate tariffs in exchange for a new trade agreement with the U.S.

“Just had a very productive call with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who told me that Vietnam wants to cut their tariffs down to ZERO if they are able to make an agreement with the U.S. I thanked him on behalf of our country, and said I look forward to a meeting in the near future,” Trump wrote on social media.