U.S. Election 2024: Kamala Harris’s Rising Polls and Trump’s Tariff Strategy

🇺🇸 U.S. ELECTION 2024

The presidential election is just under 70 days away. Here’s what we’re closely monitoring.

Credit…Erin Schaff/The New York Times

A Closer Look at Harris’s Polling Advantage

Vice President Kamala Harris has experienced a remarkable surge in her campaign, consistently leading in most national and key battleground state polls. This momentum has been bolstered by several high-profile events, including her official entry into the race and her prominent role at the Democratic National Convention. However, the crucial question remains: can she maintain this political momentum in the weeks to come? While voter opinions on Harris are still forming, former President Donald Trump has found it challenging to portray her negatively. Notably, Harris has navigated her campaign without encountering significant obstacles such as major missteps or intense scrutiny. As my colleague Nate Cohn observes, “at some point, expect this to change,” a sentiment that echoes the unpredictable nature of political campaigns.

Interestingly, both the Harris and Trump campaigns are utilizing tariffs as a strategy to safeguard American manufacturing and protect workers. However, their methodologies diverge significantly. Trump has proposed a sweeping tariff plan that includes a universal surcharge on global imports, particularly targeting China. Economists caution that such a sweeping policy could severely disrupt international trade and lead to higher prices for consumers. In contrast, Harris has been less specific about her tariff strategy, although a spokesperson indicated she would pursue “targeted and strategic tariffs.”

Additional Insights:

• Trump is set to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard as honorary co-chairs of his transition team, according to an adviser.
• Once heralded as an environmental advocate, R.F.K. Jr. now supports Trump, who has dismissed climate change as a hoax—prompting many to question this dramatic shift.

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