US Presidential Race: Trump and Harris Face Off

By H.E. Abantao

Every vote a US citizen will cast on the ballot on November 5 changes the world in four (4) years. The United States of America still holds a major influence in international politics. Whatever policy changes the US develops in its homefront changes the dynamics at the global geopolitics. One of our country’s powerful allies is the United States. It may seem too pivotal. The winner of the US presidential election will serve a term of four (4) years in the White House at Washington, D.C. Two candidates are in the spotlight of this tense political election. One is the Republican candidate Donald J. Trump and the other is the Democratic candidate Kamala D. Harris. Each candidate has different stands on key issues.

Two prominent candidates have distinguished themselves, especially since the US is a bipartisan (two-party) system. The Republican candidate Donald J. Trump is the 45th President of the United States. He is a business magnate and television personality who ran for political office in 2016. After he won the said election, he developed expansionary fiscal and closed-border immigration policies. He lost the election in the year 2020 which culminated in the January 6th storming of the Capitol, where the elections were counted. Trump was accused of being the mastermind of the capitol riots, but he denied the allegations. By this year, he had survived two assassination attempts. 

The Democratic candidate Kamala D. Harris is the 49th or the current Vice President of the United States. She was previously the District Attorney of San Francisco and the Attorney General of California. She has had a political career as a United States Senator and as the Vice President under President Joseph “Joe” Biden. Unlike Trump who projected himself as a ‘constitutionalist,’ Harris presented herself as a strong social justice advocate, leaning liberal on key issues such as abortion, education, family, and immigration. The Republican side depicts her as someone who leans radical on social issues, than Trump who takes a ‘moderate’ stand.

The following issues to be considered are as follows: abortion, family, the economy, foreign policy, crime, immigration, and other policies. The outcome of this election with the policy stances of each candidate can determine the international policies that may affect the Philippines. 

Abortion

The Republican candidate Donald Trump has been supported by Christian, evangelical, and conservative groups for his stances on abortion. Trump believes that access to abortion should only be in cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. He also believes that a child at the seventh, eighth, and ninth month or at the third trimester should not be aborted. One of the key issues he had fought was the previous 1973 Supreme Court decision of Roe versus Wade. The said Supreme Court decision provided that abortion was a constitutional right. By 2022, Trump’s appointed conservative justices overturned Roe versus Wade. Hence, the lack of laws made the issue of abortion ultimately within the different states, since the US is ultimately composed of different legislatures that form a union. 

Kamala Harris, as the Democratic candidate, has affirmed that she would support a woman’s access to abortion and re-establish such ‘reproductive freedom.’ Aligned with her party, she supports Roe versus Wade. The differences of the candidates are hence found in the exceptions to which Kamala Harris affirms the freedom and autonomy found in a woman’s choice. With this, both candidates support IVF or in vitro fertilization, a procreative act outside sex. 

The outcome of this election would affect the ways in which reproductive issues are introduced in the Philippines, especially how the Democratic Party has often led the world stage in the introduction of artificial family planning and the usage of contraceptives under Planned Parenthood.

Family

Trump has supported the use of the idea of “traditional marriage,” but he has a leaning toward same-sex marriage with his pro-LGBTQ stances. He considers “gay rights.” Yet, he has a strong position against sex-change operations. He is also against biological men in women’s sports. He has also pushed strongly against radical ‘gender ideology’ and ‘critical race theory’ which he believes to be inappropriate racial, sexual, and political content given to children. Trump has been supported by conservatives for his policies that are conducive to the creation of families. Democrats have presented this as radical. 

On the other hand, Kamala Harris affirms LGBTQ rights. She affirms gender equality and has supported more policies for same-sex marriage. There is also specific support for minorities such as Hispanics and African Americans in order to create strong households and equitable communities. She has affirmed the need for affordable education and institutions for minorities. She has supported President Joe Biden’s student debt relief for millions of borrowers. Activists have generally supported the policy of the current administration. However, Republicans see this as too costly of an expenditure. 

These issues also have an impact on Philippine policies with regards to the definition of marriage, the future of the SOGIE bills in the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, and the adaptation of the policies of the winning candidate. 

Economy

Both Trump and Harris have similar economic policies. Trump promises no taxes on tips and overtime work with large tax cuts for workers and businesses. He wishes to expand the United States’ manufacturing base and strengthen the US position as the reserve for the world’s currency. Kamala also promises no taxes on tips, tax cuts for businesses, and an opportunity economy for the middle-class in America. 

Trump has been consistent with this business policy after the tax cuts during his administration. The Biden-Harris administration, on the other hand, is yet to show such policies considering their handling in relation to increased government spending and hence, increased taxes and regulations.

Such policies are yet to be determined. A strong US economy would mean a more solid influx of US goods to the Philippines. However, the trade protectionism, or increased tariffs that the Republican Party has often respected, is aligned with their America First Policy like the Filipino First policy. 

Foreign Policy

Trump promises peace and security in Europe. He wishes to protect American interests by supporting an Iron Dome Missile Defense in America. He wishes to strengthen the American military. Harris, on the other hand, wishes to create a foreign policy that “stands up to dictators.” Both have promised to support the families of veterans and survivors. 

Currently, the Trump campaign has questioned Biden-Harris’ handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal of soldiers which led to American casualties. On the other hand, Harris questions the Trump campaign on allegations of collusion with Russia which Trump denies. 

A strong US military and foreign policy would be beneficial to the Philippines overall as a traditional ally of the United States. Nevertheless, both have economic policies against China. 

Crime and Immigration

Trump wishes to seal the border and stop the migrant invasion. He promises to create the ‘largest deportation operation in American history.’ He wishes to also strengthen policing. Likewise, Harris also supports a bipartisan agreement between Republicans and Democrats in creating a border security bill in tackling illegal immigration and the opioid crisis. 

Both policies are generally domestic policies. Nevertheless, Harris was questioned for her office as the border czar of the Biden administration for the influx of illegal immigrants. On the other hand, Trump was questioned for his uncompromising stance in avoiding a bipartisan agreement on the matter.

This affects the Filipinos involved in America, especially with the immigration policies both candidates would tackle.

Other Policies

Trump has continued to advocate for social security and medicare. His stances are focused on domestic policy. Harris, likewise, wishes to bring down the cost of healthcare and strengthen social security. 

With regards to climate change, Trump is focused more on the economic issues. He would allow fracking to lower energy costs. Likewise, Harris would allow fracking. However, another consideration for this issue is that the Biden-Harris administration has focused on greener policies or initiatives. Hence, the Republican side dismisses this Democratic policy as inconsistent with the Biden administration.

The election would have an effect on how climate change would be tackled as a general policy in different countries. 

The election would change the world, more so, our country. Whether Americans vote for Trump or Harris, the dynamics of this election would be pivotal for countries that depend on the United States. Nevertheless, there is a maxim when it comes to politics: there is no real centrist. One way or another, one has to choose sides. The United States as a country has to figure it out. But, as the world watches in anticipation, it continues to ponder what will happen to itself in the next four (4) years. 

Editor’s Note:

Hanz Efren G. Abantao II is a STEM student at Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. He has a strong passion for writing. His descriptive storytelling vividly conveys emotions and details, showcasing his creativity. Outside academics, Hanz is equally passionate about swimming, where he finds focus and discipline, and enjoys singing as a way to express his love for music, current events, and religion. Balancing his interests in science, creativity, and physical activities, Hanz exemplifies a well-rounded individual with a wide range of talents.