US Election Debate: Harris and Trump slam each other on economic policies

The first US presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania is underway and has failed to trigger any significant market reaction so far. The debate is conducted and televised by ABC News.

The debate began with the critical question about the economy, inflation and economic policies. Donald Trump said, "we have a terrible economy. We have inflation that is probably the worst in the history. This has been a disaster for people.”

Harris slammed Trump by responding, "Trump left us the worst employment since the great depression. He left us the worst attack on democracy since civil war. The former president intends to implement the detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025.”

"I have nothing do with Project 2025. Everybody knows I'm an open book and what I'm gonna do," rebuttals Donald Trump.

Donald Trump attacked Kamala Harris and the Biden administration over illegal migration into the US. Trump said: "She is destroying this country. We will become Venezuela on steroids if she becomes president.”

On Middle East conflict between Gaza and Hamas, Trump said the conflict would have "never started" if he were still president. "I will get that settled and fast," he says, adding that the Russia-Ukraine war will also end when he is re-elected.

Harris responded, "This war must end.” "It must end immediately,” she added. Harris goes on to call for a ceasefire, and eventually, a two-state solution to "rebuild Gaza".

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump appear to be neck-and-neck, with the latest polls showing Trump leading Harris 48% to 47% nationally.