New poll reveals which candidate has the upper hand on a key policy issue in swing states

New polls show Vice President Kamala Harris leads the nation on foreign policy. But when it comes to the crucial states that will decide the election, former President Donald Trump has the edge.

In the new poll of the According to the Institute for Global Affairs, 53 percent of Americans said the Democratic presidential nominee is more likely to pursue a foreign policy favorable to people like them, compared to Trump’s 47 percent.

Fifty-two percent also said she would be a strong leader who would advance America’s interests internationally, compared to 48 percent for Trump.

But when the poll turned to the swing states, the results were nearly reversed.

In states where the outcome is uncertain, 53 percent of Americans said the Republican presidential nominee would be more likely to pursue a foreign policy favorable to people like them, compared with 47 percent for Harris.

And 54 percent also said he would be a strong leader who would advance America’s interests internationally, compared to Harris’s 46 percent.

A new survey finds that Kamala Harris leads nationally on several foreign policy issues, but when it comes to swing states, the results are reversed, with Donald Trump leading

Nationally, Americans also saw Harris as more likely to improve the U.S. international reputation, 53 percent to Trump’s 47 percent. In swing states, Trump led 51 percent to 49 percent.

Foreign policy is not as important a campaign theme as the economy and other domestic issues, but it still comes up frequently in speeches and at events, as the US has played a key supporting role for allies during the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

When Americans were asked about the presidential candidates, 52 percent said Trump would send American troops to an unnecessary war, while 48 percent said Harris was the best candidate nationally.

But even in states where the outcome is uncertain, the numbers were reversed: 53 percent said Harris would send troops to an unnecessary war, while 47 percent supported Trump.

When it comes to foreign policy, the poll found a partisan divide over what Americans consider the most important issue. The most important foreign policy issue for Democrats was climate change. For Republicans, the most important issue was immigration. Both were among the most important issues for independents.

The war in Ukraine, the rise of China and Israel’s war in Gaza all ranked near the bottom of the list of foreign policy issues on Americans’ minds with just 40 days to go until the election.

Survey conducted online between August 15 and 22

Polls show Trump ahead on immigration, both nationally and in key states. Nationally, 51 percent to 49 percent said Trump would turn America’s immigration system around for Harris.

The gap widened in states where the outcome is still uncertain: 56 percent of respondents said Trump would change the system for the better, compared to 44 percent for Harris.

When it comes to foreign wars, more Americans believe Trump would end the war in Ukraine and Gaza. He has a two-point lead on this issue nationally, but in the contested states he has a 16-point lead.

The polls did not answer the question of how the candidates thought they would end the wars.

When it comes to the U.S. military, more Americans nationally and in swing states believe military funding should be cut rather than increased. But overall, many believe spending levels should remain the same, including 53 percent nationally and 50 percent in battleground states.

The US will spend the highest amount on military expenditure in the world, at $916 billion in 2023.