Harris vs Trump: A look at where each stands on key issues ahead of the US presidential debate

As the United States presidential debate goes live, US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump present sharply contrasting visions for their vision of the United States.

Both have laid out their stances on a wide range of key issues, spanning taxes, abortion, immigration, climate change, and the state of democracy itself. While Harris builds upon the groundwork laid by the Biden administration, Trump is positioning himself as the candidate who will undo many of Biden’s policies and reignite his original vision for America.

We break down where each candidate stands on 10 major issues that will shape the outcome of the election:

Immigration

Kamala Harris: As US vice president, Harris took charge of addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. She frequently highlights her experience as California’s attorney general in tackling cross-border drug and human trafficking.

Harris endorses comprehensive immigration reform, supporting pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, especially those brought to the US as children. She blames Trump for abandoning bipartisan reforms that could have toughened border security while also providing legal immigration pathways.

Donald Trump: Trump promises the largest deportation effort in US history, proposing to bring back controversial policies such as “Remain in Mexico” and Title 42, which restricted immigration on public health grounds.

He has also proposed ending birthright citizenship and reviving his travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries. In response to the Hamas-Israel conflict, Trump has pledged to enact ideological screenings for immigrants and deport those with “jihadist sympathies.”

Israel and Gaza

Kamala Harris: Harris supports Israel’s right to defend itself, condemning Hamas as a terrorist organisation. She has been more vocal than Biden about protecting civilians in Gaza and supports ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire with the aim of freeing hostages and ending the war.

Like Biden, Harris advocates for a two-state solution to ensure Israel’s security alongside an independent Palestinian state.

Donald Trump: Trump backs Israel’s military efforts to destroy Hamas but has criticised some of the tactics, calling for swift resolution.

He supports stronger measures to silence pro-Palestinian protests on US college campuses and advocates revoking visas of individuals who espouse anti-American or antisemitic views.

NATO and Ukraine

Kamala Harris: Harris has closely aligned herself with Biden’s policies in support of Ukraine, stressing the importance of maintaining NATO as a bulwark against Russian aggression. The administration has committed over $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, with Harris indicating that continued support is vital to preventing further Russian expansion.

Donald Trump: Trump has criticised the US aid to Ukraine, suggesting that European nations should bear a larger share of the burden.

He claims he could end the war by negotiating directly with Russia and Ukraine, a proposal that may involve Ukraine ceding territory. Trump has also vowed to reevaluate NATO, accusing member nations of not meeting defence spending commitments.

US Federal government reform

Kamala Harris: The US vice president opposes the sweeping reforms suggested by Trump and conservative groups, particularly “Project 2025,” which aims to push the federal government sharply to the right. Harris has said that the Biden administration has already taken steps to protect civil service workers from mass firings, issuing rules that make it harder to reclassify them as political appointees.

This was done in direct response to Trump’s “Schedule F” order, which had sought to reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers, making them easier to fire. Harris is also critical of the broader conservative push to downsize government.

Donald Trump: Trump’s vision for the federal government involves a radical transformation, starting with reissuing his 2020 “Schedule F” executive order, which would make it easier to dismiss federal workers who disagree with his policies.

He has promised to “obliterate the deep state” by purging government agencies of civil servants he deems obstructionist. Trump has also proposed eliminating the US Department of Education and curtailing the independence of regulatory agencies like the Federal Communications Commission. He has suggested a policy where 10 regulations would be removed for every new one introduced.

Abortion

Kamala Harris: Since stepping in as the Democratic nominee, Harris has been a vocal advocate for restoring federal abortion rights after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Like her predecessor Joe Biden, she supports legislation that would safeguard a woman’s right to choose across the nation.

Harris has frequently criticised restrictive abortion laws passed in GOP-led states and has promised to block any future nationwide abortion ban should it arise in a Republican-controlled Congress. She has also highlighted her commitment to protecting women who travel out-of-state to access the procedure and limiting the collection of their medical data by law enforcement.

Donald Trump: Trump takes pride in having appointed the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. While dodging questions on specific abortion restrictions, he has consistently maintained that decisions on the legality of abortion should be left to the states.

In recent statements, Trump has indicated that he would not sign a national abortion ban, nor block access to abortion medications, allowing states to take the lead on such issues. He has also suggested making IVF treatments free for women.

Taxes

Kamala Harris: Harris plans to offer tax cuts for the middle class, expand the child tax credit, and raise taxes on corporations and the wealthy. She advocates for eliminating taxes on workers’ tips and expanding credits for first-time homebuyers.

Donald Trump: Trump wants to extend his 2017 tax cuts, reduce the corporate tax rate further, and eliminate taxes on tips and Social Security benefits. His proposals have been criticised for potentially increasing the national debt without generating sufficient economic growth.

Climate and Energy

Kamala Harris: A former advocate of the Green New Deal, Harris’ approach to climate policy has shifted toward more moderate stances during her vice presidency. She now focuses on implementing the provisions of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which provided $375 billion for clean energy projects and electric vehicle incentives.

As part of the administration’s climate plan, over 20,000 young people have been recruited to a national “Climate Corps” to engage in conservation tasks. Despite her commitment, Harris has been less vocal about Biden’s goal of cutting US greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030, and the country may struggle to meet this target.

Donald Trump: Trump’s approach is centered around fossil fuel expansion, encapsulated by his slogan, “DRILL, BABY, DRILL.” He has long been a climate change skeptic, dismissing it as a “hoax” and pledging to return the US to energy dominance by cutting energy prices in half.

His plans involve increasing oil and gas drilling, building new nuclear power plants, and reversing Biden’s electric vehicle mandates. Trump also vows to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Accords again, cut wind power subsidies, and roll back regulations on inefficient lightbulbs, stoves, and other appliances.

LGBTQ+ issues

Kamala Harris: Harris stands firmly with the LGBTQ+ community, often accusing Republicans of attempting to roll back progress on civil rights, including marriage equality.

As part of the Biden administration, she supported reversing Trump’s ban on transgender military service and expanding protections under Title IX to include gender identity.

Donald Trump: Trump’s platform includes a full-scale rollback of transgender rights. He has promised to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports, uphold a legal definition of gender based on birth sex, and stop federal funding for gender-affirming care.

He also supports banning transgender individuals from military service once again.

Trade and Tariffs

Kamala Harris: The Biden-Harris administration has targeted China with tariffs on goods like steel and electric vehicles while maintaining some of Trump’s tariffs. Harris has supported incentivising American industries, especially in critical areas like semiconductors, while fostering stronger trade relations with allies.

Donald Trump: Trump proposes significant tariff hikes on imported goods, aiming to use tariffs to cut taxes and lower the national debt. His trade policies are focused primarily on China, with a vision of phasing out Chinese imports of critical goods and banning Chinese ownership of key US infrastructure.

Democracy and Rule of Law

Kamala Harris: Harris has positioned herself as a staunch defender of democracy, frequently criticising Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election. She contrasts her background as a prosecutor with Trump’s ongoing legal issues, including felony counts and civil judgments.

In campaign rallies, when supporters chant “Lock him up!” in reference to Trump, Harris stated letting the courts take their course and focusing on the election, saying, “Our job is to beat him in November.” Harris often ties the preservation of democracy to protecting voting rights, reinforcing the need for secure elections.

Donald Trump: Trump has yet to acknowledge his defeat in the 2020 election and continues to spread false claims of electoral fraud. He has openly stated that he would consider pardoning those convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot and has proposed punitive actions against lawyers, election officials, and others who “acted unscrupulously” in the 2020 vote.

Trump’s agenda includes a complete overhaul of the Department of Justice and the FBI, aiming to “eliminate corruption” in those institutions. He also vows to deploy the National Guard to combat urban crime and has pledged to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden.

Harris and Trump’s contrasting stances on abortion, climate, democracy, and taxes reflect the broader battle over the future direction of the United States.

With inputs from agencies