Clinton presses for early voting

Aiming to turn her edge over Trump into an unbreakable lead, she has been pleading with core Democratic constituencies to vote in states where balloting has begun |

GLOBALISATION

Donald Trump: Scrap NAFTA – trade deal with Canada and Mexico – to stop jobs moving overseas. Impose 45% tariff on imports from China to protect US industry. Hire experts, not “political hacks,” to negotiate trade deals. Oppose 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Hillary Clinton: As secretary of state Clinton touted TPP as “gold standard… covering 40% of the world’s total trade” – now opposes proposed trade deal because it does not provide enough protection for US workers on wages, jobs and America’s national security

IMMIGRATION

Clinton: Expand refugee programme from accepting 10,000 to about 65,000 Syrian refugees annually. Vet backgrounds of immigrants and refugees. Create pathway to citizenship for some 11 million immigrants living in country illegally

Trump: Signature issue is to combat illegal immigration and reduce legal migration. Stance includes wall between US and Mexico, complete ban on foreign Muslims entering US and ideological tests for would-be immigrants

DAESH

Clinton: Will not send US ground troops to Syria or Iraq – in addition to some 5,500 already there – instead intensify air strikes. Backs no-fly zone and safe zones on ground to protect civilians. Drive so-called Daesh out of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria

Trump: Repeatedly says “bomb the hell” out of Daesh. Suggests he has secret plan to defeat Daesh but does not want to reveal it. Generals will have 30 days to submit plan for defeating Daesh

GUN CONTROL

Clinton: Supports gun control legislation, including increased background checks on gun purchases. Called for ban on assault weapons after Orlando massacre in June

Trump: Opposes limits on gun ownership, wants gun-free zones in schools AR-15 assault rifle and elsewhere eliminated. Opposes banning assault weapons – believes mass shootings can be prevented if more people carry guns

HEALTHCARE

Trump: Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA) – better known as Obamacare. Renegotiate runaway costs of healthcare provision. Appoint Supreme Court justices to challenge Roe v. Wade – landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion in US

Clinton: Expand Obamacare by creating government-run health plan, known as “public option,” to compete with private insurers that offer ACA policies. Defend planned parenthood and Roe v. Wade

INFRASTRUCTURE

Both candidates have pledged to invest in infrastructure as a way to kickstart economic growth, taking advantage of historically low interest rates Trump: “Trillion-dollar rebuilding MIGRATION programme” to patch up roads, airports, bridges, water systems and power grid Clinton: Send $275 billion infrastructure plan to Congress during her first 100 days in office. Use revenue from tax overhauls to pay for new projects, create $25 billion infrastructure bank to attract private funds

TAXES, MINIMUM WAGE

Trump: Reduce number of income brackets from seven to three, with rates of 22%, 25% and 33% – down from 40%. Lower corporate tax from 35% to 15%. Abolish estate tax, also known as “death tax.” Raise federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10, but let states set minimum

Clinton: Tax rate of 30% for individuals earning $1 million or more, and impose 4% surcharge on taxpayers making more than $5m per year. Tighten business-tax rules to stop companies moving profits abroad. Increase death tax rates on estates to as much as 65%. Raise federal minimum wage to $12