Democrats have gained a narrow advantage over Republicans on handling the U.S. economy for the first time in nearly a decade, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll that also showed declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump.
The nationwide survey, conducted from Wednesday through Monday among 4,505 U.S. adults, found that 37% of registered voters said Democrats had a better approach to managing the economy, compared with 36% who favored Republicans. Another 27% were unsure or chose another option. The poll has a margin of error of about two percentage points.
The result marks a notable shift in voter perceptions after Republicans maintained an advantage on economic issues for much of the past decade, including during Trump’s first term, Joe Biden’s presidency and the early period of Trump’s second term.
The Republican advantage has weakened as voters have increasingly focused on household expenses, inflation pressures and concerns over rising energy costs.
Reuters reported that higher gasoline prices linked to conflict involving Iran have contributed to growing economic concerns among Americans. Fuel prices have risen significantly since the start of the conflict, adding pressure on household budgets and creating challenges for the Trump administration’s economic messaging.
The poll also showed Trump’s approval rating falling to 35%, down from 37% in the previous Reuters/Ipsos survey last month. The figure places his approval rating near the lowest levels recorded during his presidency.
The findings come ahead of the November midterm elections, where Republicans will defend narrow majorities in Congress. In a congressional preference test, 42% of registered voters said they would support a Democratic candidate if elections were held now, compared with 37% who preferred a Republican candidate.
Independent voters, a key voting group in U.S. elections, also favored Democrats in the survey, giving them a 12-point advantage over Republicans.
Despite the national trends, control of Congress remains uncertain. Analysts say election outcomes will depend largely on competitive races in individual districts and states rather than national polling figures alone.
Trump has dismissed negative polling results and has continued to argue that public support for his administration remains strong. He has previously criticized unfavorable surveys and claimed that his approval ratings are improving.
The latest Reuters/Ipsos findings suggest that economic issues, including inflation, energy costs and the impact of international conflicts on domestic prices, could play a major role in shaping voter decisions before the midterm elections.
Although Democrats’ advantage on the economy remains narrow, the shift is politically significant because economic management has traditionally been a strong issue for Republican candidates in recent election cycles.
