The candidates opened the controversy by specializing in the financial system, a difficulty that polls present favours Trump.
Harris attacked Trump’s intention to impose high tariffs on foreign goods – a proposal she has likened to a gross sales tax on the center class – whereas touting her plan to supply tax advantages to households and small companies.
“Donald Trump left us the worst unemployment because the Nice Despair,” Harris mentioned, referring to his years as president from 2017 to 2021.
Unemployment peaked at 14.8 per cent in April 2020 and at 6.4 per cent when he left workplace. It was far increased within the Nice Despair.
Trump, 78, criticised Harris for the persistent inflation in the course of the Biden administration’s time period, although he overstated the extent of value will increase. He additionally pivoted rapidly to his high subject, immigration, claiming once more with out proof that immigrants from “insane asylums” are crossing the US southern border with Mexico.
Inflation, he mentioned, “has been a catastrophe for individuals, for the center class, for each class”.
A SURPRISE HANDSHAKE
The talk obtained underway at 9pm ET (9am Singapore time) with a shock handshake between the 2 opponents, who had by no means met earlier than. Harris approached Trump at his lectern, introducing herself by identify, in what was the primary handshake at a presidential debate since 2016.
The encounter is especially essential for Harris, with opinion polls displaying that greater than 1 / 4 of probably voters really feel they have no idea sufficient about her. Harris entered the race solely seven weeks in the past after President Joe Biden’s exit.
