What to know about Trump's policy proposals
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President-elect Trump at a campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport on Nov. 2, 2024 in Gastonia, North Carolina. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Nov. 2, and was republished after the 2024 race was called.
President-elect Trump has promised to rebuild the economy, unleash energy dominance and secure U.S. borders.
The big picture: Trump and Vice President Harris have campaigned for weeks with largely differing visions for the nation on everything from border security to reproductive rights.
Here are some of the policy proposals Trump has announced or backed, across policy areas:
Economy
Trump wants to deploy massive tariffs to compel companies to manufacture in the U.S. — though he often misstates the way tariffs actually work, and rejects the consensus among economists that they would lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers.
- He vowed in a speech last month to "relocate entire industries" to the U.S. by slashing taxes and regulations — and to punish companies that don't manufacture at home.
- He's claimed that his promise to "drill, baby, drill" on Day 1 of his presidency will unleash the oil and gas industry and be vital in easing inflation.
- He's seeking to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits and end taxes on tips and overtime income, all of which would reduce tax revenues.
By the numbers: Trump's economic plans would add $7.5 trillion to federal deficits by 2035, according to an analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Health
Abortion: Trump has flip-flopped on his abortion stance.
- While he has repeatedly taken credit for appointing the Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade's federal protections, he has insisted he won't sign a national abortion ban into law.
- He's said certain limits are "too short" and has landed on a leave-it-to-the-states approach.
Health care: Trump has vowed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but has not offered details on a new health care plan he's been promising since the 2016 election.
Immigration
Trump, who campaigned in 2016 on a promise to "build the wall," has again made restricting immigration the cornerstone of his campaign.
- He has pledged to carry out "the largest deportation in the history of our country" — starting with Venezuelan migrants in Aurora, Colorado, and Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio (many of whom are in the U.S. legally).
- The plan for mass deportations has been a staple of Trump's speeches, though he has not offered many specifics on how he would carry it out.
- His team is also considering steps to reduce legal immigration.
Trump has also vowed to end birthright citizenship as outlined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
- This is unlikely to happen as it would require three-fourths of state legislatures or three-fourths of conventions called in each state for ratification, Axios' Russell Contreras reports.
Energy and Climate
Trump has constantly talked about wanting to "drill, baby, drill" on Day One of his presidency.
- His campaign website states that he "will unleash the production of domestic energy resources, reduce the soaring price of gasoline, diesel and natural gas" and that he'll "ensure the United States is never again at the mercy of a foreign supplier of energy."
- A skeptic of human-caused global warming, Trump has said he wants to "terminate" spending on what he calls the Green New Deal, presumably referencing the Biden administration's signature Inflation Reduction Act, Axios' Emily Peck reports. Pulling back that money would require congressional action.
- Trump previously pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord and scorned international efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Foreign policy
Ukraine: Trump repeatedly criticized military aid to Ukraine, and has also claimed — without providing any details — that he will be able to immediately bring the war to an end. During his debate with Harris, he refused to say which side he wanted to win.
- NATO allies are very concerned about what a Trump presidency will mean for Ukraine's war effort.
China: Trump wants to impose a 60% tariffs on all Chinese imports, drastically escalating the trade war he started while in office.
- Beyond tariffs, Trump has promised a muscular approach to China, claiming he will force Beijing to change its trade practices and arguing that President Xi Jinping would not dare invade Taiwan on his watch.
Israel: Trump is a strong supporter of Israel, though he has urged Israel to ends its wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
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