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Harris vs. Trump: Two Opposing Visions for the U.S.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES | Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. (Photo/EFE)

IMMIGRATION, ABORTION, AND ECONOMY AT STAKE FOR THE ELECTIONS

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Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump (2017-2021), have clashed with their proposals on immigration, taxes, tariffs, abortion, and foreign policy. Here’s what each one promises if they come to power after the November 5 elections.

Immigration

Harris wants to make the asylum restrictions introduced by Joe Biden’s administration in response to record numbers of migrants at the border permanent and proposes a reform that would offer a “pathway to citizenship” for undocumented individuals living in the country, without giving details on how she plans to achieve this.

Trump stigmatizes migrants with xenophobic rhetoric and promises mass deportations of undocumented individuals, a return to building the wall, and the elimination of immigration benefits for those fleeing their countries. The Republican candidate indicates that he will seek the death penalty for migrants who kill Americans.

Harris vs. Trump: Dos visiones opuestas para EE. UU.

Abortion

For Harris, defending abortion is the central theme of her campaign. She supports legislation to restore reproductive rights. The Democrat would need a majority in Congress to pass legislation that would restore the protections of Roe v. Wade, which were removed by conservative judges appointed by Trump to the Supreme Court.

Trump boasts that the judges he placed on the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion in 2022. The Republican celebrates that each state is now free to restrict this practice but has promised to veto a national abortion ban if Congress approves one.

Taxes

Harris promises tax deductions for small businesses and to raise taxes on large corporations, from 21% to 28%. Like Trump, she proposes eliminating taxes on tips.

Trump wants to extend the tax cuts for large companies made during his term and proposes lowering the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15% for companies that manufacture all their products in the United States. He promises to eliminate taxes on overtime.

Healthcare

Harris wants to extend several subsidies from the 2010 healthcare reform known as Obamacare. She aims to expand medical coverage for low-income individuals and takes credit for having capped the price of insulin and other essential drugs.

Trump previously attempted to repeal Obamacare and now says he has a “concept plan” to modify this law, but he has not provided details. He promises to cut taxes on Social Security benefits, which would accelerate the program’s insolvency.

Trade

Harris supports tariffs on some Chinese imports, such as electric vehicles. However, she opposes generalized tariffs to avoid price increases that would affect the working class. Trump promises tariffs of between 10% and 20% on all imported goods and 60% on those from China to force companies to relocate production to the United States.

Environment

Harris advocates for subsidies for renewable energy and electric vehicles. The Democrat has dropped her opposition to hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and supports it when done without environmental impact.

Trump denies the climate crisis, opposes electric vehicles, and promises to increase oil and natural gas production. During his time in the White House, he eliminated hundreds of environmental regulations and withdrew from the Paris Accords.

Firearms

Harris supports stricter background checks for firearm purchasers, although she has revealed that she owns a semi-automatic pistol to counter Republican accusations that she intends to ban guns. Trump has positioned himself as a strong defender of the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which enshrines the right to bear arms, and claims to be the NRA’s best friend.

Marijuana

Harris supports the decriminalization of recreational marijuana nationwide and criticizes the disproportionate incarceration of African Americans and Latinos for cannabis possession. Trump argues that “unnecessary arrests” for small amounts of marijuana should end.

Foreign Policy

Harris calls for an end to the Gaza war, while pledging to continue supporting Israel militarily and advocating for a two-state solution. The Democrat would maintain arms shipments to Ukraine and promises to rival China responsibly.

Trump claims he would end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, although he has not explained how. He has criticized sending arms to Kyiv, threatens to withdraw from NATO, has positioned himself as a staunch defender of Israel, and does not support the creation of a Palestinian state.