The upcoming November of 2024 would probably be the most significant one in the last four years. Come the 5th of November, voters across the United States are heading towards polls, to elect the leader of the most powerful democracy in the free world. The US presidential elections, which initially seemed to be a match of heavyweights till July 2024, is now poised to be a battle of ideologies that will shape the country’s direction for the next decade. In July, the incumbent President Joe Biden endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate.
As of October 7, Kamala Harris is ahead of Donald Trump in the US national polling averages since she entered the race at the end of July. Kamala Harris leads the average currently at 48.4% while Donald Trump stands at 45.9%(source: 538/ABC News).
Let us compare the stances of both leaders in some of the major policy prerogatives that have set up the narrative for the US Presidential Elections in 2024:
1 – Economy:
Harris has particularly highlighted that she would focus on reducing food and housing costs for working families. She has promised to ban Price-Gouging on essential items like groceries, help first-time home buyers and incentivize housing supply. Price-gouging refers to the practice of raising the price of goods and services during emergencies/crises.
Trump, on the other hand, has promised to end inflation and make America affordable again. He has promised to unleash low interest rates, which lies within the purview of the US Fed. He also promises to tackle the undocumented immigration issue.
2- Abortion:
The central theme of Harris’s campaign has been Abortion rights and she advocates legislation that would usher reproductive rights across the US.
Trump, has been specifically inconsistent in finding the right message to convey to voters on this topic.
3- Immigration:
Harris, tasked with tackling the southern border crisis reportedly raised billions of dollars that aimed to stem this migratory concern. Trump, on the other hand, has vowed to seal the border through wall construction and pro-active enforcement. He also promises to engage in the biggest mass deportation of undocumented migrants in US history. It would be pertinent to note that the US was grappling with a huge influx of illegal border crossing from Mexico at the end of 2023.
4- Taxes:
While Harris plans to raise taxes on Businesses and Americans making more than $400,000 a year, Trump proposes a tax cut and increasing tariffs on imports and focus on higher domestic growth.
5- Foreign Policy:
Harris has vowed to support Ukraine. She has pledged if elected, she would ensure the supremacy of the US in the 21st century and not China. She has been a vocal advocate of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and has called for an end to the war in Gaza.
Trump, on the other hand, wants to follow a more non-aligned policy to conflicts anywhere across the world. He has stated multiple times that he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours through a negotiated settlement with Russia. Trump supports the cause of Israel.
6- Trade:
Harris has mostly criticized Trump’s stand on increasing tariffs on imports. Trump has made tariffs central to his campaign. He has proposed 20% tariffs on most foreign goods and as high as 60% on Chinese imports.
7- HealthCare:
Harris was part of the administration that reduced prescription drug costs and capped insulin prices at $35. Trump, on the other hand, has highlighted he won’t put efforts to dismantle the “Affordable Care Act”, that extended insurance to millions of people.
