The vice president has been critical of past trade deals. But her record suggests she could push for trade measures that address environmental issues.According to The New York Times, the vice president has expressed criticism towards previous trade deals. However, her past actions suggest that she may advocate for trade measures that address environmental concerns.

During a 2019 presidential debate, Kamala Harris stated, “I am not a protectionist Democrat.” However, she is also not a free-trade Democrat. She has publicly stated her opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), both of which were supported by the Obama administration. In 2020, she was one of only 10 senators to vote against the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA.

As Ms. Harris continues to pursue the presidential nomination, her stance on trade and economic issues is likely to be a major topic of discussion. Unlike former President Donald J. Trump and his running mate JD Vance, trade has not been a central focus for Ms. Harris. As a result, her specific views on trade are not well-known.

William A. Reinsch, the Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes that Ms. Harris is “a bit of a blank slate” when it comes to trade, but is likely to have a skeptical view. This is based on her vote against the USMCA, which suggests she aligns with the progressive wing of the Democratic party that is generally skeptical of trade agreements and their impact on market access. However, there is limited information available to fully understand her stance on trade.

Throughout her time as a senator from California and as vice president, Ms. Harris has consistently expressed concerns about the environmental impact of trade deals. She has objected to several agreements due to their lack of measures to address climate change. While the USMCA was negotiated by the Trump administration, it gained support from many Democrats due to its stronger protections for workers and the environment. However, Ms. Harris still believed that the environmental provisions were inadequate and did not adequately address the current climate crisis.

In conclusion, while Ms. Harris’s specific views on trade are not fully known, her past actions and statements suggest that she may prioritize environmental concerns in trade policy if she were to become president. 

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