BBC Stylised image showing Harris and Trump in black and white in front of US Capitol with blue and red striped background
As the next US election approaches, voters face a pivotal decision, choosing between two starkly different candidates: the incumbent Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican challenger Donald Trump. This election presents a clear contrast in ideologies, policies, and approaches to governing. Understanding where Harris and Trump stand on key issues is crucial for voters to make an informed choice about the direction of the country. This article provides a comprehensive comparison of Harris and Trump, examining their proposed policies across various critical areas.
Inflation and Economy
Kamala Harris’s Approach: Addressing rising costs for American families is a central pillar of Harris’s economic agenda. Her immediate focus would be on alleviating the burden of inflation, particularly concerning essential expenses like food and housing. Key proposals include banning price gouging on groceries, implementing measures to support first-time homebuyers, increasing the national housing supply, and raising the minimum wage. While acknowledging the surge in inflation during the current administration, influenced by global events like post-pandemic supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine, Harris emphasizes the progress made in curbing inflation and aims to build on this momentum.
Donald Trump’s Strategy: Donald Trump pledges to “end inflation and make America affordable again,” framing the current economic climate as a failure of the Biden-Harris administration. His proposed solutions include increasing domestic oil drilling to lower energy costs, despite presidential control over interest rates being limited, he promises to deliver lower interest rates. Trump also suggests that deporting undocumented immigrants would ease housing market pressures. However, economists caution that his plans to impose higher taxes on imports could potentially drive prices up, exacerbating inflationary pressures.
Tax Policies
Harris’s Tax Plan: Kamala Harris advocates for a tax system that she argues is fairer, proposing to raise taxes on large corporations and individuals earning over $400,000 annually. Alongside these increases, she also proposes tax relief measures for working families, such as expanding child tax credits. Interestingly, Harris has indicated support for a more moderate increase in capital gains tax compared to President Biden, suggesting a rise from 23.6% to 28% instead of Biden’s proposed 44.6%.
Trump’s Tax Cuts: Donald Trump is proposing significant tax cuts, extending his 2017 tax cuts, which largely benefited wealthier individuals and corporations. These cuts are estimated to cost trillions of dollars. Trump argues that these tax cuts will spur economic growth and that increased tariffs on imports will offset the revenue loss. However, economic analysts predict that both candidates’ tax plans would increase the national deficit, with Trump’s plan projected to have a more substantial impact.
Abortion Rights
Kamala Harris on Abortion: Abortion rights are a central theme in Kamala Harris’s campaign. She is a vocal advocate for codifying reproductive rights into federal law, seeking to counteract the overturning of Roe v. Wade and ensure nationwide access to abortion. Harris strongly criticizes the restrictions on abortion access implemented in numerous states following the Supreme Court decision.
Donald Trump’s Stance on Abortion: Donald Trump’s position on abortion has been less consistent. While he appointed the Supreme Court justices who played a crucial role in overturning Roe v. Wade, he has also expressed concerns about the political fallout from strict abortion bans. Navigating the diverse views within the Republican party and the broader electorate, Trump’s messaging on abortion remains a key point of contention and uncertainty.
Immigration Policy
Harris’s Immigration Approach: As Vice-President, Kamala Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration at the southern border. She led efforts to secure billions of dollars in private investment aimed at improving conditions in Central American countries to reduce northward migration. While border crossings reached record highs in late 2023, numbers have since decreased. During her campaign, Harris has adopted a tougher stance on border security, emphasizing her prosecutorial background and experience combating human trafficking. She also supports reviving a bipartisan immigration bill that faced Republican opposition in Congress.
Trump’s Immigration Plan: Donald Trump’s immigration policy is centered on жесткое border security and mass deportations. He vows to complete the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border and increase border enforcement. Trump actively opposed the bipartisan immigration bill supported by Harris, urging Republicans to reject it. He promises the “largest mass deportation” of undocumented immigrants in US history, a plan that legal experts suggest would face significant legal challenges.
Foreign Policy
Harris’s Foreign Policy Vision: Kamala Harris is a staunch advocate for continued US engagement on the global stage. She has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes” in its conflict with Russia. Harris emphasizes the importance of US leadership in global affairs and aims to ensure the US, not China, leads in the 21st century. She supports a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has called for an end to the war in Gaza.
Trump’s “America First” Foreign Policy: Donald Trump champions an “America First” foreign policy, advocating for a more isolationist approach and reduced US involvement in international conflicts. He has stated he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours through negotiations with Russia, a proposition criticized by Democrats as potentially emboldening Vladimir Putin. While presenting himself as a strong supporter of Israel, Trump has offered limited details on his strategy to resolve the conflict in Gaza.
Trade and Tariffs
Harris on Trade: Kamala Harris criticizes Donald Trump’s broad tariff proposals, warning they would impose a “national tax on working families,” costing households thousands of dollars annually. She is expected to pursue a more targeted trade policy, maintaining existing tariffs on certain Chinese imports like electric vehicles while avoiding sweeping tariffs.
Trump’s Tariff-Centric Trade Strategy: Donald Trump has made tariffs a central component of his economic platform, aiming to protect US industries. He proposes new tariffs of 10-20% on most imported goods, with potentially higher tariffs on goods from China. Trump also aims to incentivize companies to manufacture goods in the US by offering lower corporate tax rates.
Climate Change
Harris’s Climate Agenda: Kamala Harris played a key role in the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to combat climate change, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocates substantial funding to renewable energy and electric vehicle incentives. While initially opposed to fracking, she has since shifted her stance, reflecting a pragmatic approach to energy policy.
Trump’s Climate Policy Reversal: During his presidency, Donald Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations, including those limiting carbon emissions from power plants and vehicles. In his current campaign, he has pledged to expand Arctic drilling and has been critical of electric vehicles, signaling a continued emphasis on fossil fuels and deregulation.
Healthcare
Harris on Healthcare Costs: Kamala Harris and the Biden administration have focused on lowering healthcare costs, successfully reducing prescription drug prices and capping insulin costs at $35 for seniors on Medicare.
Trump’s Healthcare Promises: Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to dismantle and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, but without providing specific details on his alternative plan. While he now suggests he would “improve” the ACA, his previous efforts to repeal it and lack of concrete proposals leave uncertainty about his healthcare agenda. He has also expressed support for taxpayer-funded fertility treatments, which could face opposition from within his own party.
Law and Order
Harris’s Law and Order Record: Kamala Harris, drawing on her background as a prosecutor, contrasts her experience with Donald Trump’s criminal conviction. She emphasizes a commitment to law enforcement while also advocating for criminal justice reform.
Trump’s “Tough on Crime” Stance: Donald Trump adopts a “tough on crime” approach, vowing to crack down on drug cartels, gang violence, and urban crime, particularly in cities run by Democrats. He has suggested using the military or National Guard to address what he describes as “the enemy within” and “radical left lunatics” if they disrupt elections, raising concerns about the potential militarization of domestic law enforcement.
Gun Control
Harris’s Gun Control Advocacy: Kamala Harris is a strong proponent of stricter gun control measures. She and other gun owners advocate for expanded background checks and bans on assault weapons. However, enacting such measures at the federal level would require Congressional support, which remains a significant hurdle.
Trump’s Second Amendment Defense: Donald Trump positions himself as a staunch defender of the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Addressing the National Rifle Association (NRA), he declared himself their “best friend,” signaling his opposition to stricter gun control measures and commitment to gun rights.
Marijuana Policy
Harris’s Marijuana Decriminalization Stance: Kamala Harris has called for the decriminalization of marijuana at the federal level for recreational use. She argues that past marijuana policies have disproportionately harmed minority communities, pointing to higher arrest rates for Black and Latino men for marijuana possession.
Trump’s Evolving Marijuana Views: Donald Trump’s stance on marijuana has softened over time. He has indicated support for ending “needless arrests and incarcerations” for adults possessing small amounts of marijuana for personal use, suggesting a potential shift towards a more lenient federal approach.
Conclusion:
The choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump presents American voters with fundamentally different visions for the country’s future. Harris offers a policy platform rooted in traditional Democratic principles, emphasizing social programs, government intervention to address economic inequality, and a more liberal social agenda. Trump, in contrast, champions a populist, “America First” approach, prioritizing tax cuts, deregulation, жесткое immigration policies, and a more isolationist foreign policy. As voters weigh their options, understanding these contrasting platforms is essential in determining the nation’s path forward.
