This November, American voters will vote for a new president, and their decision will depend on the level of influence of the candidates' election programs on the socio-economic and political development of the US. The approach of Mr. Donald Trump and Ms. Kamala Harris in solving the main problems facing the US will be the "compass" for voters' decisions.
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump Photo: NBC News
On the economy , including taxes and job creation , both candidates have pledged to promote economic growth and create jobs for the American people. Ms. Harris' economic program is very similar to President Joe Biden's and is aimed at attracting the middle class. At the meeting in North Carolina on August 16, Ms. Harris pledged to focus on creating opportunities for the middle class, reducing the cost of food, housing and health care, strengthening the child tax credit and making a difference with former Republican President Donald Trump on tariffs and taxes.
Meanwhile, Republican candidate Donald Trump has pledged to push forward an ambitious economic policy. Speaking at a factory in Pennsylvania on August 20, Mr. Trump said: “Our plan will reduce taxes, unleash American energy, reduce regulations, restore our industrial base and promote the ‘Made in America’ program.”
On health care, including abortion rights . Abortion rights have become a key issue for Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections, as well as the upcoming election. The Democratic Party in general, and Harris in particular, are about providing everyone with access to health care and protecting women's reproductive rights. At the Democratic Convention, Harris pledged to restore abortion rights nationwide, while criticizing Trump and the Republican Party for supporting abortion bans in many states and seeking to expand them further.
Reproductive rights, meanwhile, were seen as a major weakness for former President Donald Trump. The Republican candidate’s campaign largely avoided issues related to abortion and reproductive rights, as his anti-abortion stance has been unpopular with voters since the ruling guaranteeing abortion rights was overturned two years ago. Speaking at a campaign rally on August 29, Mr. Trump said that if elected, he would make in vitro fertilization (IVF) services free and deduct major expenses related to babies. Mr. Trump emphasized that this demonstrated his commitment to supporting American families.
On civil rights and liberties, including gun control , the differences between the two candidates also reflect the differences between the two parties. While the Democratic Party has long wanted to impose gun control, the Republican Party has opposed it on the grounds that the Second Amendment of the US Constitution stipulates that the right of citizens to keep and bear arms is “unalienable”. Speaking at the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention on April 14, 2023, Mr. Trump criticized the Democratic Party for continuing to consider school safety measures as strict control over the use of guns. According to him, this is not the core problem, but rather psychological, social, cultural issues…
On immigration policy , Ms. Harris announced that she would push for a comprehensive border bill that would tighten immigration into the US and pledged to “enforce the law” against illegal border crossings. Speaking on CNN on August 29, Ms. Harris emphasized: “The law needs to be followed and enforced to deal with those who illegally cross the border into the US, and there must be penalties for these actions.”
Immigration policy was a top issue in former President Donald Trump's re-election campaign. He previously pledged to complete the construction of a wall along the entire border and carry out the largest deportation effort in US history. In June, Mr. Trump also warned of heavy tariffs on countries that do not stop illegal immigrants if re-elected. This commitment was emphasized by Mr. Trump during a visit to the US-Mexico border at Montezuma Pass in Arizona on August 22. "Countries will have to accept immigrants back home. If they don't, the US will not trade with those countries and will impose high tariffs on these countries," Mr. Trump said.
Regarding foreign policy and national security , American voters are particularly interested in the two candidates' approaches to Russia and the conflict in Ukraine. While Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has pledged to continue to strongly support Ukraine and its NATO allies, Mr. Trump has repeatedly declared his willingness to "make a deal" with Russia. Mr. Trump has always pursued the policy of "America First", which means that promoting the national interests of the United States is the top priority, so in relations with Russia, he has also emphasized that he is willing to make a deal if it is beneficial.
On August 21, TASS reported that Trump's senior campaign adviser Brian Hughes revealed that candidate Donald Trump plans to promote discussions on arms control with Russia if he wins the election. Regarding the Ukraine issue, Trump has criticized US military aid to Ukraine and pledged to "bring peace to the world and end the Russia-Ukraine conflict" as US president.
Regarding China , regardless of whether Mr. Trump or Ms. Harris wins, the US-China relationship will likely follow a controlled competition path for the next four years. However, the difference is only in degree, if Mr. Trump wins, it is predicted that controlling this competition will be more difficult. Previously, when she was a congresswoman, Ms. Harris co-sponsored bills related to human rights issues in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, while Mr. Trump launched a trade war and pledged to increase tariffs on Chinese goods if elected again.
On the Middle East peace process , Harris expressed support for President Joe Biden's stance on actively supporting Israel, while rejecting calls from some Democrats for Washington to reconsider sending weapons to Israel due to the high number of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip. Harris supports a ceasefire and a hostage rescue agreement in the war between Israel and Hamas. She also calls for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a senator, she supported the nuclear deal with Iran and voted in favor of restrictions on arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s approach to the Middle East has been defined by his strong support for Israel and Saudi Arabia, along with his confrontational stance toward Iran. He has abandoned longstanding bipartisan consensus by declaring that he has no interest in a separate Palestinian state.
On climate change, Ms. Harris said the climate crisis is an “existential threat” to humanity. She has supported many of President Joe Biden’s climate policies, including his decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement, and she cast the deciding vote to pass the largest clean energy and climate investment bill in US history. At a meeting with students in Maryland on July 14, 2023, Ms. Harris emphasized that when the US increases investment in clean energy, electric vehicles, and pollution reduction, “Americans can breathe clean air and drink clean water.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has repeatedly questioned the science of climate change and expressed doubts about whether human activity is responsible for it. He has pledged to expand domestic fossil fuel production, review the Biden administration’s clean energy initiatives, and withdraw the United States from major global climate change efforts.
On crime and justice reform , Ms. Harris advocates a humane policy, “giving people who have made mistakes a chance to get back to normal life and providing support and resources to do so.” Meanwhile, Mr. Trump expressed skepticism about the Democratic Party’s policies. “Kamala Harris will bring crime, chaos… You will see an unprecedented increase in crime… I will ensure law, order, security and peace,” Mr. Trump said at a meeting with voters in Michigan on August 21, 2024.
Ha Anh
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/su-khac-biet-giua-ong-trump-va-ba-harris-ve-chinh-su-nuoc-my-post310066.html
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