Donald Trump has toxic appeal in Australia, poll reveals

Donald Trump’s popularity in Australia has plunged, with 70 per cent of voters expressing negative sentiment towards the US President, who is yet to meet in-person with Anthony Albanese.

US President Donald Trump with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and wife Victoria Starmer in Scotland this week. Picture: Getty Images

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

Donald Trump’s popularity in Australia has continued to plunge, with 70 per cent of voters expressing negative sentiment towards the US President, who is yet to meet in-person with Anthony Albanese or strike a deal with Canberra on tariffs.

Following Mr Trump’s return to the White House in January and after Labor MPs linked Peter Dutton’s policies to his administration ahead of the May 3 election, 55 per cent of voters feel “very negative” about the billionaire.

An SEC Newgate Mood of the Nation survey, which polled 1855 voters between July 8-16, reveals the number of Australians who believe Mr Trump is having a negative impact on global peace and security has risen from 56 per cent in February to 68 per cent.

Similar negative trends were recorded on the impacts of Mr Trump on the cost of living in Australia (66 per cent), the Australian economy (65 per cent), global response to climate change (65 per cent) and Australia’s relationship with the US (64 per cent).

The polling, which found 26 per cent of Australians supported the US strikes on Iran, shows 15 per cent of Australians feel positive towards Mr Trump, with those in regional areas, men and Coalition supporters more likely to be favourable.

SEC Newgate research partner Dave Stolper said “despite easing financial pressures, long-term economic optimism is slipping, partly due to the Trump trade turmoil and global uncertainty”.

“Australians are looking for leadership that delivers stability and confidence. Donald Trump remains highly unpopular among Australians, with a feeling he will have a negative impact on global peace and security, the cost of living and our national economy,” Mr Stolper said.

While concerns about the domestic economy in the short term have recovered post-election, only 47 per cent of voters – a record low – believe the economy will improve over the next three years.

Mr Stolper said since the election, there had been a “lift in sentiment since the return of the Albanese government, and some of the heat around cost-of-living issues has eased”.

“However, these issues have not gone away, and the federal government has a big job ahead in managing expectations that Australia has turned the corner. Cost-of-living concerns are finally showing signs of easing, but Australians are clear-eyed about the need to keep prices in check as it remains the No.1 priority for most.”

Ahead of Jim Chalmers’ economic reform roundtable, the survey found that “reforming the taxation system is seen as a priority by almost half of all Australians”.

“Australians are largely supportive of tax reforms that deliver greater fairness – putting more money in workers’ pockets and asking more of those with greater wealth,” Mr Stolper said

The survey findings said “Australians favour lower income taxes through greater taxes on wealth (65 per cent), increasing property taxes for investors (64 per cent) and increasing taxes on superannuation (59 per cent)...”

“However, business will be disappointed with the low support for reducing company taxes (25 per cent) and reforms such as replacing stamp duty with an annual land tax (35 per cent) on all people’s homes,” the report states.

“Trust in corporates is growing slowly. While only 22 per cent agree that corporates are ‘behaving ethically and doing the right thing’, trust in corporates has been steadily improving this year and it is now at the highest level recorded so far.”