From campaign to reality: the domestic policy agenda for the next US president

To cut through the noise surrounding the US election and separate bold campaign promises from cold governing realities, Global Counsel has analyzed the policy plans that may inform the next president, interviewed experts across the ideological spectrum, and closely followed the Harris (previously Biden) and Trump campaigns for over a year. Focusing on the primary sectors GC analyzes for US-focused clients - financial services, climate & energy, and technology policy - we make sense of what each candidate’s top domestic policy priorities will be and what might realistically be implemented.

The goal of this report is to act as a guide for investors and businesses as they consider strategic initiatives, such as portfolio investments or market expansion opportunities in the US during a period of political transition. Despite the lofty campaign promises proposed by each candidate to enact significant change in US policy, the reality is that the winning candidate will face meaningful legislative, legal and political constraints that will limit her or his ability to enact an ambitious policy agenda, including razor-thin margins in Congress, a worsening fiscal backdrop, and recent US Supreme Court rulings that limit the power of federal agencies. These factors, amplified by a likely divided government limit the opportunity for meaningful policy changes. Meanwhile, we believe the engines of US innovation, dynamism and global reach that have developed over many decades are unlikely to be degraded.  

To download the report, get in touch with the team