Jul 23, 2024 - 18:53
By cbc.ca

Here's where Kamala Harris stands on key issues in upcoming presidential election

U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris was moving swiftly on Monday to try to lock up the Democratic presidential nomination, the day after President Joe Biden, 81, abandoned his re-election bid in the face of growing opposition by his own party and endorsed Harris.

With Democrats rallying behind her, Harris looks set to lock up the party's nomination and take on former president Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, in the Nov. 5 election.

Should that happen, here's a look at where she stands on key issues.

Canada

Top of mind for Canadian officials heading into the November election in the U.S. is the looming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026. Harris was one of 10 U.S. senators to vote against the trade agreement, saying it didn't do enough to protect American workers or the environment.

During his presidency, Trump pushed for renegotiation of the old North American Free Trade Agreement, and his administration introduced billions of dollars' worth of tariffs, particularly on Chinese imports. He has threatened more tariffs and decreased aid to Ukraine, fighting off Russia's invasion, if he wins a second term in office.

Biden's tenure brought some stability but not much change. He largely kept Trump's tariffs in place, despite promises to reverse them. There has also been tension over the Biden administration's Buy American procurement rules.

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he wasn't concerned by some signalling that Democrats could continue leaning toward protectionist policies under Harris. Singh, speaking from Timmins, Ont., told reporters that Trump was a bully but that Biden was more open to compromise on important aspects of trade.