The Politics of “America First”: Problematizing the Economy and Trade on the Campaign Trail

Abstract

The economy is frequently a reliable predictor of electoral outcomes. In 2016, there were some distinctive pivots from conventional discussion of economic indicators. The Trump campaign introduced policy proposals that pointed to policies and practices that engendered protectionist behavior on part of the USA that marked a notable departure from conventional Republican positions and, more widely, US policy on trade. This chapter examines the rhetoric that revolved around the topic of the US economy and trade. The analysis examines voters’ candidate affect response toward Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and how it affected appraisals of the US economy and policy directed at managing the role of the USA in free-trade agreements.