WHO WILL YOU VOTE FOR IN NOVEMBER 2024?

The CANDIDATES

THE ISSUES SIDE-BY-SIDE June 11, 2024

BIDEN Website	TRUMP Website
Economy
The economic policy of President Biden has its own name - Bidenomics - and involves building the economy, in his words, "from the bottom up". That means investing in infrastructure and manufacturing, clean energy and expanding job opportunities. The economic data shows strong growth and jobs creation under his leadership. But voters feel the pain of high inflation, especially food and petrol.	President Trump produced a booming economic recovery, and record low unemployment. Has blamed his successor's big spending for inflation and vowed a return to an agenda of lower taxes and less regulations.
Immigration
Promised a more humane approach on immigration saw him suspend or revoke several Trump-era border policies, lift the refugee admissions cap and expand humanitarian parole. But a massive surge in illegal immigration and ensuing public backlash has prompted the Democrat to shift in favour of more restrictive measures.	Immigration crackdown Trump promises a crackdown on migration. His campaign website says: “President Trump will shut down Biden’s border disaster. He will again end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico, and eliminate asylum fraud. In cooperative states, President Trump will deputize the National Guard and local law enforcement to assist with rapidly removing illegal alien gang members and criminals.”
Trade
No across-the-board tariffs Biden opposes across-the-board tariffs — but favors some targeted tariffs, such as steel and aluminum from China, accusing the country of unfair trade practices.	Yes to across-the-board tariffs Trump proposes to impose a 10% tariff across all imported goods. Trump told Fox News in February that it could be 60% — maybe even “more than that” — on imports of Chinese goods. Trump is a longtime skeptic of trade deals.
Crime
Mix of reforms Biden proposes a mix of reforms and is trying to distance himself from progressives on some crime issues. He signed an executive order to end private prison contracts, has called on Congress to pass police reform and pushed to end solitary confinement (although the use of the practice had been increasing under his presidency). But he also lent a hand to GOP efforts to block D.C.’s crime law changes amid criticism they didn’t go far enough and has called for an increase in crime prevention and police funding.	Tough-on-crime approach As president, Trump championed a tough-on-crime approach but also promoted landmark criminal justice reform. Amid the 2020 racial justice protests sparked by several high-profile police killings of Black Americans, Trump harshly criticized protesters and wrote on Twitter in response to protests in Minnesota that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” On the campaign trail, he almost exclusively emphasizes that severe approach, accusing Biden’s policies of failing to curb violent crime. He’s also repeatedly accused the Justice Department of pursuing political prosecutions of him and unfairly going after his supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
China
Biden called Xi Jinping a “dictator” last year after a private summit meeting. The president views America’s rivalry with China chiefly through a national security lens, as opposed to Trump, who tends to see it more in trade and economic terms. Biden has sought to fortify and expand U.S. alliances in hopes of restraining China’s power, notably through a pact with Australia and the United Kingdom that involves the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia. Biden has also struck a hawkish posture toward China when it comes to a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Biden has warned that the U.S. would respond militarily if China were to attack. The White House later walked back his remarks.	Higher tariffs - Trump wants to hit China with high tariffs. He says U.S. workers have suffered under what he calls unfair trade practices that have benefited China. If elected, he said in an interview in February that he would impose tariffs of at least 60% on Chinese goods. Trump also plans to institute a four-year plan to boost manufacturing in the U.S. so that the nation doesn’t need to rely on China for crucial goods. And he says he would bar China from taking ownership of what he calls “critical infrastructure” in the U.S. At times, Trump has praised Xi Jinping, calling him “brilliant.”
Israel/Gaza
Support, and some criticism, for Israel Biden wants to stop the war from escalating and broker a cease-fire that includes the return of hostages and ultimately leads to a two-state solution. He has pushed Israel to limit civilian casualties and protect the delivery of more humanitarian aid. Biden has been critical of Israel’s execution of the war and specifically of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he has privately referred to as an “a--hole,” but he has not substantially shifted U.S. support for the Jewish state. He urged Congress to send him an aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.	‘Fast’ end to the war The Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel never would have happened if he were president, Trump insists. He has pushed for a quick end to the war, telling conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt in April: “They have to get it done. Get it over with and get it over with fast.” He has not said under what conditions Israel should agree to stop its military campaign, but he has also not suggested any support for Palestinians.
Ukraine
Backs support for Ukraine Biden has been resolute in his support for Ukraine. His administration has provided Ukraine tens of billions of dollars in financial assistance and weaponry, keeping the embattled nation from being swallowed up by Russia. A constant refrain from White House officials is that the way to end the war is for Russia to withdraw its forces — something Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no interest in doing. Until that happens, Biden says he is intent on shoring up Ukraine’s defenses, warning that if Putin wins the war he may be emboldened to move further west and attack NATO countries.	Aid as a loan Trump has said that if elected, he’d stop the war between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours — without offering many details about how he’d do so. In September, he said he did not want to reveal his plan in order to preserve his “bargaining chips.” Throughout his presidency, Trump sought to remain on good terms with Putin. On the eve of Russia’s invasion, Trump described Putin’s recognition of two breakaway Ukrainian territories as “very savvy” and “genius.” Earlier this year, Trump embraced the idea of giving additional aid to Ukraine in the form of a “loan” rather than a “gift.”