In a 2019 presidential debate, Kamala Harris made it clear that she is neither a protectionist Democrat nor a free-trade Democrat. She has expressed opposition to trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
While trade has not been a primary focus for Ms. Harris compared to some other politicians, her views on trade and economic issues are expected to gain attention as she pursues the presidential nomination. William A. Reinsch, an expert in international business, suggests that Ms. Harris is likely to be filled with trade skepticism due to her voting record, especially her vote against the USMCA.
Throughout her career as a senator from California and as vice president, Ms. Harris has shown a tendency to prioritize environmental concerns in trade agreements. She has criticized trade deals for lacking adequate measures to address climate change, such as her stance on the USMCA where she found the environmental provisions to be insufficient.
