American voters are heading towards a pivotal presidential election, presented with a stark contrast between the Democratic incumbent Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican challenger Donald Trump. As the nation prepares to make its choice, understanding the policy platforms of these two leading candidates is crucial. This article delves into a detailed comparison of where Harris and Trump stand on key issues, offering a clear picture of their visions for America.
Black and white image of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump facing each other, set against the US Capitol Building with a red and blue striped background, symbolizing the political divide between them in the context of the upcoming US election.
Economic Policies: Inflation, Taxes, and Trade
Economic concerns are at the forefront for many voters, and Harris and Trump present distinctly different approaches to managing the US economy.
Inflation
Kamala Harris has emphasized that tackling rising costs for everyday Americans would be her immediate priority if elected. Her strategies include measures aimed at directly reducing expenses for working families, particularly in crucial areas like food and housing. Harris proposes to combat price gouging on essential groceries, implement programs to aid first-time homebuyers, boost the national housing supply to ease demand, and advocate for an increase in the federal minimum wage. Acknowledging the global context of recent inflation spikes, partly attributed to post-pandemic supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine, Harris aims to implement targeted domestic policies to alleviate these pressures on American households.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, promises a swift resolution to inflation, vowing to “end inflation and make America affordable again.” His proposed solutions include increasing domestic oil drilling to lower energy costs, a sector significantly impacted by inflation. Trump also speaks of lowering interest rates, though this is largely outside presidential control as it is managed by the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, he suggests that deporting undocumented immigrants would alleviate pressures within the housing market. However, economists raise concerns that Trump’s commitment to imposing higher tariffs on imports could actually drive prices up for consumers, potentially exacerbating inflationary pressures.
Taxes
On taxation, the divide between Harris and Trump is equally pronounced. Harris advocates for increasing taxes on large corporations and individuals earning over $400,000 annually. Alongside these increases, she also proposes tax relief measures for families, including expanding the child tax credit, aiming to reduce the tax burden on middle and lower-income households. Interestingly, Harris has signaled a divergence from President Biden’s stance on capital gains tax, suggesting a more moderate increase from 23.6% to 28%, compared to Biden’s proposed 44.6%.
Trump’s tax plan centers around significant tax cuts, amounting to trillions of dollars. A cornerstone of his plan is extending the 2017 tax cuts, which disproportionately benefited wealthier Americans and corporations. He argues that these tax cuts will spur economic growth, and he intends to offset the revenue loss through this growth and by imposing tariffs on imports. However, economic analysts predict that both candidates’ tax plans are likely to increase the national deficit, with Trump’s proposals projected to add considerably more to the national debt.
Trade
Harris has been critical of Trump’s broad-stroke approach to trade tariffs, particularly his plan to impose sweeping tariffs on imports. She argues that such measures would essentially function as a national tax on working families, estimating it could cost each household an additional $4,000 per year. Harris is expected to favor a more targeted trade policy, likely continuing the current administration’s tariffs on specific Chinese imports, such as electric vehicles, while seeking more nuanced trade agreements.
Trump has made trade tariffs a central pillar of his economic platform, advocating for them as a tool to protect and revitalize American industries. He has proposed imposing new tariffs ranging from 10% to 20% on most imported goods, with potentially much higher tariffs specifically on goods from China. Beyond tariffs, Trump also aims to incentivize companies to maintain or relocate manufacturing operations to the US by offering lower corporate tax rates, seeking to boost domestic production and employment.
Social Issues: Abortion, Immigration, and Marijuana
Social issues are deeply divisive in American politics, and the stances of Harris and Trump on these matters reflect significant ideological differences.
Abortion
Kamala Harris has placed abortion rights at the very heart of her campaign. She is a vocal advocate for federal legislation that would codify reproductive rights nationwide, seeking to counteract the impact of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. For Harris, ensuring access to abortion is framed as a fundamental issue of women’s health and rights.
Donald Trump, in contrast, has presented a less clear and at times contradictory stance on abortion. While he appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court whose votes were crucial in overturning Roe v. Wade—a move celebrated by anti-abortion groups—Trump has since hesitated to fully embrace a national abortion ban. His appointees’ actions have significantly shifted the landscape of abortion access in the US, leaving the legality of abortion to be determined by individual states.
Immigration
Harris was initially tasked within the Biden administration to address the root causes of migration at the southern border. She has focused on diplomatic efforts, helping to secure billions of dollars in private investment aimed at improving conditions in Central American countries to reduce northward migration. While the US saw record numbers of border crossings in late 2023, those numbers have since decreased. In her current campaign, Harris has adopted a more assertive tone on border security, emphasizing her prosecutorial background in California and her experience in tackling human trafficking.
Trump has consistently advocated for a hardline stance on immigration. His signature promise is to “seal the border” by completing the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border and increasing border enforcement. Despite previously urging Republicans to reject a bipartisan immigration bill, which Harris supported, she has indicated she would revive such a deal if elected. Furthermore, Trump has pledged to undertake what he describes as the largest mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in US history, a plan that legal experts suggest would face significant legal and logistical challenges.
Marijuana
On the issue of marijuana, both Harris and Trump have shown a softening of previous hardline stances, reflecting evolving public opinion and state-level legal reforms. Harris has advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana for recreational use at the federal level. She highlights the disproportionate impact of marijuana criminalization on minority communities, particularly Black and Latino men, pointing to the high number of arrests for possession.
Trump has also indicated a shift towards a more lenient approach, stating it is “time to end needless arrests and incarcerations” for adults possessing small amounts of marijuana for personal use. This represents a notable evolution from previous Republican positions that were strongly in favor of marijuana prohibition.
Global Affairs: Foreign Policy and Climate
The candidates’ approaches to foreign policy and climate change reveal fundamental differences in their worldview and priorities for America’s role in the world.
Foreign Policy
Kamala Harris articulates a foreign policy approach rooted in international cooperation and the maintenance of US global leadership. She has firmly pledged to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes” in its defense against Russian aggression. A central theme of her foreign policy vision is ensuring the US remains competitive with China, aiming for America to “win the competition for the 21st Century.” On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Harris has consistently supported a two-state solution and has called for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Donald Trump champions a more isolationist “America First” foreign policy, advocating for the US to reduce its involvement in international conflicts and focus on domestic priorities. He has famously claimed he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours through a negotiated settlement with Russia. Critics, particularly Democrats, argue that such an approach would embolden Vladimir Putin and undermine international stability. While Trump has positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel, he has offered little public detail on how he would seek to resolve the conflict in Gaza.
Climate Change
Harris, as Vice-President, played a key role in advancing the Biden administration’s climate agenda, particularly through the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation includes hundreds of billions of dollars in investments aimed at promoting renewable energy, electric vehicle adoption through tax credits and rebates, and other climate-friendly initiatives. However, she has notably shifted her stance on fracking, a controversial method of oil and gas extraction opposed by many environmental groups, by dropping her previous opposition.
Trump‘s approach to climate change is markedly different. During his presidency, he oversaw the rollback of numerous environmental regulations, including those designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and vehicles. In his current campaign, Trump has doubled down on fossil fuels, vowing to expand oil and gas drilling in the Arctic and criticizing electric vehicles, signaling a continued divergence from global efforts to combat climate change.
Domestic Policies: Healthcare, Law and Order, Guns
Domestic issues such as healthcare, crime, and gun control are crucial for voters, and the candidates offer contrasting perspectives and policy proposals.
Healthcare
Kamala Harris has been part of an administration that has made efforts to lower healthcare costs, including reducing prescription drug prices and capping insulin costs at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare. The Biden-Harris administration has largely worked within the framework of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to expand coverage and affordability.
Trump, who has long pledged to “dismantle” and “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, has recently shifted his rhetoric, now saying he would “improve” it if elected, though without providing specific details. The ACA has been instrumental in significantly reducing the uninsured rate in the US. In a somewhat unexpected move, Trump has also called for taxpayer-funded fertility treatment, a position that could face opposition from within his own Republican party in Congress.
Law and Order
Harris has sought to draw a contrast between her background as a prosecutor and Trump’s recent criminal conviction. She has emphasized her experience within the legal system, implicitly positioning herself as the candidate of law and order while highlighting Trump’s legal challenges.
Trump has adopted a tough-on-crime platform, vowing to dismantle drug cartels, crack down on gang violence, and address crime in cities run by Democrats, which he often characterizes as being “overrun with crime.” He has controversially 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 militarization of domestic law enforcement and the suppression of dissent.
Guns
Harris has made preventing gun violence a central commitment of her platform. She, along with Second Gentleman Tim Walz, both being gun owners themselves, frequently advocate for stricter gun control laws. Key proposals include expanding background checks for gun purchases and reinstating a ban on assault weapons. However, she acknowledges that enacting such measures would require Congressional support, which remains a significant hurdle.
Trump positions himself as an unwavering defender of the Second Amendment and gun rights. Addressing the National Rifle Association (NRA) in May, he declared himself to be their “best friend,” signaling his strong alignment with gun rights advocates and opposition to stricter gun control measures.
Conclusion
As American voters weigh their options in the upcoming election, the policy contrasts between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are stark and significant. From economic policy to social issues, and from foreign affairs to domestic priorities, the two candidates offer distinct visions for the future of the United States. Understanding these differences is essential for voters to make informed decisions and determine which candidate’s platform best aligns with their own priorities and beliefs.
