What are Kamala Harris's foreign policies?
As the country goes to the polls, Yahoo News examines what US foreign policy would look like under Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris is within arms reach of the White House, as the race between her and Republican candidate Donald Trump remains on a knife-edge.
While a Trump presidency brings with it the threat of future trade wars and concerns over the US' relationship with Nato, Harris brings the potential for more stability – but this is as yet untested, given her lack of prior experience in international relations
Here, Yahoo News breaks down what US foreign policy might look like under Harris.
Harris likely to increase aid to Gaza
Harris will be inheriting a number of conflicts that run the risk of spilling over further into surrounding regions, namely the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars.
While she has not made huge moves away from Biden's position on the conflicts during her campaigning, Harris has suggested there would be an increase in humanitarian aid for Gaza.
"While Harris has stated that Israel has a right to defend itself, she has been clear about the need to do more about the human suffering as a result of the war. As such, it is likely one of the first changes you will see is more work around humanitarian assistance," Farah Pandith, adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, foreign policy strategist, and former diplomat, told Yahoo News.
"Harris will likely increase the foreign aid budget – including a sizeable difference in how she approaches US assistance to humanitarian efforts in Gaza. She will likely work on a new nuclear deal with Iran.
"Harris has stated that return of the hostages, a ceasefire and humanitarian action for those affected by the Gaza war are vital and thus it is likely she reboots US efforts possibly through firmer engagement with Netanyahu. The US aid to Israel is unlikely to change but she will likely have a different way of managing him."
In terms of Ukraine, Pandith said Harris would "likely seek more support for Ukraine and more innovation to provide Ukraine with a positive outcome to the war".
Harris 'doesn't have strong feelings' about transatlantic relations
A Harris win in the presidential election would bring far more continuity than a Trump victory, with the vice president potentially looking to build on initiatives brought in by her predecessor, Joe Biden.
She has criticised Trump's planned blanket trade tariffs, but is expected to continue tariffs introduced by Biden on China to keep a handle on competition and meet climate goals.
However, Harris comes to the role with far less international experience than Biden, and while she has underlined her commitment to maintaining good relations with the international community, there is no clear blueprint for her foreign policy agenda.
"Unlike president Joe Biden, who has been working on issues for decades at this point but had very strong views on the transatlantic relationship and knew a lot of people personally, Harris doesn't come to office with a strong set of personal ties or necessarily strong feelings about the transatlantic community," Thomas Graham, the senior director for Russia on the National Security Council staff under George W. Bush, told Yahoo News.
"After all, she grew up in California and she's not someone who would have necessarily focused on the transatlantic relationship as critical to us foreign policy, so while she may say the right words, the deep emotional commitment to the transatlantic relationship is not going to be there - and that could have some impact on how she reacts when she has to make tough choices on how to proceed on Ukraine, Nato and so on."
Harris likely to support Nato
"A big priority issue on which they [ the candidates] differ is Ukraine and Nato, with Harris wanting to continue strong US support and Trump wanting to cut it back," Graham said.
Harris has reiterated her commitment to Nato and pledged to stand by the US's allies, in stark contrast to Trump, who has repeatedly criticised the organisation.
“I firmly believe our commitment to build and sustain alliances has helped America become the most powerful and prosperous country in the world — alliances that have prevented wars, defended freedom, and maintained stability from Europe to the Indo-Pacific,” Harris said in a February speech.
“To put all of that at risk would be foolish.”
She has also reiterated her commitment to supporting Ukraine, but has not yet commented on whether she would back Ukraine joining Nato – stating recently that she will weigh that decision at a later date.
Harris pledge to pass border security bill
Harris doesn't have any of the fiery rhetoric of Trump when it comes to immigration, but neither is she taking a soft stance on the topic - she has pledged to encourage Congress to pass the bipartisan border security bill, which would make it harder for people to get asylum.
Additionally, she has said she wants to see more border patrol agents, and more asylum officers and judges in order to speed up decisions on claims. That sped-up process would not mean an easier time for those seeking asylum, as she has also said there should be a higher bar for asylum claims in the US.
However, for those people who have been living in the US for years without obtaining citizenship, she has pledged to create a pathway to it.
“I will work with Congress to create, at long last, a pathway to citizenship for hardworking immigrants who have been here for years, for years, and deserve to have a system that works,” she said in September.
Read more:
