Trump and Harris Clash Over China Policy during Presidential Debate

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
11/09/2024 20h40

In a fiery exchange during the presidential debate hosted by ABC News, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris locked horns over their differing approaches to China policy. Harris took aim at Trump's plan to impose blanket tariffs of 10% to 20% on all imports, calling it the "Trump sales tax" that would burden middle-class families. Trump, on the other hand, defended his tariff proposals, including additional duties of 60% to 100% on China, arguing that it was time for other countries to pay back for all that the United States has done for the world.

During the debate, Harris accused the Trump administration of being too weak on China and resulting in a trade deficit. She criticized Trump for selling American chips to China, which she claimed helped them improve their military capabilities. Instead, Harris advocated for a policy that focuses on winning the competitions of the 21st century, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. She emphasized the importance of investing in American-based technology and strengthening relationships with allies to secure America's position in the global race.

In response, Trump dismissed Harris' concerns and reiterated his belief that China and other countries would bear the brunt of the increased tariffs. He argued that these measures were necessary to hold accountable the nations that have been "ripping us off for years." Trump also pointed out that the Biden-Harris administration had kept most of his tariffs on China intact, despite criticizing them during the debate.

Economists, however, have expressed their reservations about the impact of tariffs. Some argue that they raise prices and can be both inflationary and contractionary. Steve Kamin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, emphasized that Trump's additional tariffs would have economic consequences.

It is expected that Trump's approach to China policy in a potential second term would continue to focus on heavy trade tariffs, while Harris is likely to lean towards targeted restrictions coordinated with U.S. allies. The debate highlighted the deep divide between the two candidates on how to address China's economic practices and secure America's position in the global market.

As the American people weigh their options, the China policy debate continues to be a contentious issue that will shape the future of U.S. trade relations and economic strategy.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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