Democratic US Vice President Kamala Harris is leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, according to an election survey. He praises his protectionist trade policy and again asks questions about Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin.
In a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday, Harris is three percentage points ahead of Trump, 45 to 42 percent. The poll had a margin of error of about four percentage points. The vote will take place on November 5.
In some states it is possible to vote by mail or in person much earlier. After President Joe Biden withdrew from the election campaign, Harris took over the Democratic nomination in July. Overall, a close outcome is expected, not least because of the relatively complicated electoral process in the US.
Trump defends a protectionist trade policy
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has defended his protectionist trade policies and dismissed concerns about a possible rising national debt. “We are committed to growth. We will bring businesses back to our country,” the former president said in an interview with the Economic Club of Chicago on Tuesday.
He faced predictions from budget analysts that his plans would increase the national debt by $7.5 trillion by 2035 — more than twice as much as Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump says the tariffs will revive U.S. manufacturing and generate enough revenue to ease concerns about a growing deficit. He relies not only on special taxes on goods from rivals like China, but also on products from allies like the European Union. He wants to impose tariffs on imported cars from Germany, among other places, so that foreign manufacturers build their cars in the US.
Trump also believes he can make recommendations to the US Federal Reserve regarding interest rates without issuing orders. “I think I have the right to say: you should raise or lower interest rates a little.”
Some trade experts say his actions could hurt the U.S. economy, endanger jobs and drive up consumer prices. Trump responded that the tariffs would have a strong impact, but from his perspective, a positive impact. “You only have to produce in the US and then there are no tariffs.”
Mystery about talks with Putin
The current Republican presidential candidate did not want to answer whether Trump spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin several times after his term as president. “I don’t comment on that,” the 78-year-old said at an event hosted by business news agency Bloomberg in Chicago. However, he added that it was “smart” to maintain relationships with people.
“If I’m friends with people or have a relationship with them, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing,” Trump said, emphasizing that he also had “very good relations” with Chinese head of state Xi during his term. Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong have taken care of this.
The Kremlin had previously denied US reports of alleged phone calls between Putin and Trump after he left office in 2021. The background was a new book by reporter Bob Woodward, which discusses seven conversations between Trump and Putin – which allegedly took place despite Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Trump’s campaign team denied the information.
The Republican has been criticized for years because of his real or perceived close relationship with Putin and Russia. The subject also plays a role in the elections.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
