Kamala Harris is more trusted than Donald Trump on the US economy

A new poll reveals that more Americans trust Kamala Harris to handle the US economy than Donald Trump, a shift in voter sentiment after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race. Conducted by the Financial Times and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, the survey marks the first time Harris has led Trump on economic trust since the poll began tracking this issue nearly a year ago.

Forty-two percent of voters expressed more confidence in Harris managing the economy, compared to 41 percent for Trump. While Trump's numbers remained unchanged from the previous month, Harris saw a seven-point rise from Biden's July standing. Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan, pointed out that Harris’s improved numbers reflected Biden’s previous struggles with voters.

Although the US economy shows strong growth and employment figures, Biden has faced challenges convincing voters that his policies are beneficial. This sentiment has persisted after Biden withdrew from the presidential race. Inflation remains the top concern for most Americans as the November election approaches, with only 19 percent of voters feeling better off than when Biden took office in 2021.

However, the survey indicated that Harris might have the opportunity to distance herself from Biden on economic matters, as 60 percent of respondents said she should either break from or significantly alter his economic platform. Additionally, Harris has a higher approval rating than Biden, with 46 percent of voters approving of her performance as vice president, compared to 41 percent for Biden.

Despite this, the poll highlighted that economic uncertainty could still favor Trump. During a recent press conference, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of inflation. Only one in four voters rated the economy as “excellent” or “good,” and 42 percent believed they would be better off if Trump returned to office, compared to 33 percent who felt the same about Harris becoming president.

Gordon noted that while the poll is positive news for Democrats, they still face challenges as many voters view their own economic interests as a higher priority than broader policy issues.