深观察丨是什么让超六成美国人说“不”？

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. has expanded the scope of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to include hundreds of derivative products, marking a new phase in the ongoing "steel and aluminum tariff war" initiated by the government this year [1][4]. Group 1: Tariff Implementation and Impact - The U.S. government has progressively increased tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, starting with a 25% tariff in March, doubling it to 50% in June, and including various consumer goods in the tariff list [4][5]. - The tariffs aim to "save" U.S. steel manufacturers and revive the manufacturing sector, with domestic steel producers reportedly raising prices by 16% due to reduced imports [5][6]. - Despite the increase in domestic steel production value, the overall steel production in the U.S. has decreased by nearly 10% compared to a decade ago, indicating a decline in competitiveness [7][8]. Group 2: Economic Consequences - The reduction in imported steel and the increase in domestic prices are projected to impose additional costs of hundreds of billions of dollars on downstream manufacturing sectors such as automotive, construction, and appliances [8][10]. - The U.S. International Trade Commission found that while tariffs increased domestic steel and aluminum production value by approximately $2.25 billion in 2021, they simultaneously reduced the output of downstream industries by about $3.48 billion [8][10]. - Economic data indicates that consumer sentiment has declined, with the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index dropping to 58.6 in August, reflecting concerns over rising prices and reduced purchasing willingness [11][12]. Group 3: Consumer Impact and Public Sentiment - The rising costs due to tariffs have led to a significant decrease in consumer confidence, with a 14% drop in the willingness to purchase durable goods [11][12]. - Recent reports show that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.7% year-on-year in July, while the Producer Price Index (PPI) increased by 3.3%, indicating a broader inflationary effect from the tariffs [13][16]. - Public opinion is increasingly against the tariff policies, with 61% of respondents opposing the current government's approach, and a majority believing that the long-term effects will be negative for both the country and their households [24][27].