Harris vs Trump: Global attention on US election as candidates make last daring campaign push
Global financial markets are reacting cautiously to the impending election, with Asian markets experiencing a slight uptick as investors prepare for a closely contested race.
World News: As the United States nears Election Day, the world watches intently to see if Kamala Harris will make history as the first woman to hold the Oval Office or if Donald Trump will stage a remarkable comeback after a fiercely contested campaign. Both candidates are intensifying their efforts to sway undecided voters in crucial swing states, vying for every last vote in what is shaping up to be one of the closest elections in recent memory.
Final Campaign Push: Harris and Trump Blitz Battleground States
In a frenetic final push, both candidates hit the campaign trail in key states on Monday. Harris, focusing her last day of campaigning in Pennsylvania, held a rally in Philadelphia alongside Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, Trump has been on a whirlwind tour of swing states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, attracting large crowds and making bold promises to solidify his support.
Pennsylvania is emerging as a battleground of utmost significance, with both candidates planning competing rallies in Pittsburgh. Harris has heavily campaigned in rust-belt states, yet she faces challenges in Michigan, where a significant Arab-American population has expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. government's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Polls Tighten as Election Day Draws Near
National polls indicate an extremely tight race, particularly in the seven swing states expected to determine the election's outcome. An unexpected boost for Harris comes from the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, showing her leading Trump among likely voters in a state he won in both 2016 and 2020. This shift, largely driven by support from women voters, gives her a narrow lead of 3.4 percentage points in Iowa. However, an Emerson College Polling survey reveals Trump with a 10-point advantage over Harris, particularly strong among men and independent voters.
Voter Confidence Split Over Economic Leadership
Economic issues are pivotal for many voters. An AP-NORC poll indicates that Harris holds a slight advantage, with 43% of voters favoring her economic strategies compared to Trump’s 41%. However, a separate Gallup poll shows that 54% of voters believe Trump is better equipped to manage the economy, highlighting a significant divide in voter confidence on this critical issue.
Timing of Election Day and Anticipated Results
Voting across many U.S. states begins on November 5, with polling stations opening between 7 and 9 a.m. local time. This corresponds to a start time of 4:30 p.m. IST on November 5, continuing until 6:30 a.m. IST on November 6. With approximately 75 million early ballots already cast—nearly half of the total turnout from 2020—anticipation is mounting as the nation approaches a defining moment.
Global Market Reactions to the U.S. Election
Global financial markets are reacting cautiously to the impending election, with Asian markets experiencing a slight uptick as investors prepare for a closely contested race. The dollar has dipped slightly following polls indicating a Harris advantage in Iowa, although a Trump victory could bolster the dollar and elevate U.S. Treasury yields due to his proposed tax cuts. The House and Senate races are also under scrutiny, with the potential for Republican control adding to the election's stakes.
