High-Caliber Discussion: Harris and Trump Meet Head-to-Head for the First Time

The upcoming showdown between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in Philadelphia promises intense debates on economic policy issues. While this encounter is a first for both political heavyweights, their reactions to mutual accusations are of particular interest. Trump, as expected, is likely to defame Harris as a 'communist' – a charge he has frequently levied in recent times. Harris, on the other hand, will attack Trump's economic plans, which she believes could plunge the country into a recession and drive up prices due to his tariff policies. The candidates have so far acted in controlled campaign appearances, so the interaction in a direct duel could bring a new dynamic. Observers do not, however, expect in-depth discussions on economic policy. ‘Those who expect profound questions and debates on economic issues are often disappointed,’ says Brian Gardner, Chief Washington Policy Strategist at Stifel. Instead, a heated fight is expected, likely to be remembered more for personal attacks and their responses. At a previous meeting in June, Trump and Biden refused the symbolic handshake – a similar tone appears to be predetermined for this time as well. In addition to economic issues like capital gains taxes and tariffs, topics such as abortion and immigration might also be on the table. Harris has tried to moderate her economic agenda last week with a plan for small businesses and tax breaks for new entrepreneurs. She also received support from over 90 business leaders, including the CEOs of Yelp, Box, and Chobani. Trump, who pursues an aggressive tariff policy with high duties on Chinese imports, could be pushed onto the defensive by these demands. Should Trump, however, address new economic policy questions, it remains to be seen whether these will comply with the debate rules. The rules stipulate that microphones are muted when a candidate is not scheduled to speak. Each candidate has two minutes to respond and an additional minute for follow-up. These rules are intended to allow candidates to present their political views without interruptions. Whether this time will be effectively used to gain new insights into the policies of both candidates remains to be seen. Gardner recently put it this way in a webinar: ‘Any new information is helpful, but I’m holding my breath to see if we will learn much that is new.’