--- ---  # Mike Pence, Donald Trump's Likely Running Mate, Disagrees With Him on These 3 Issues by [Will Drabold](https://time.com/author/will-drabold/) ## Will Drabold Jul 14, 2016 6:45 PM UTC  Ind. Gov. Mike Pence joins Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally in Westfield, Ind. on July 12, 2016. Ind. Gov. Mike Pence joins Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally in Westfield, Ind. on July 12, 2016.Michael Conroy—AP by [Will Drabold](https://time.com/author/will-drabold/) ## Will Drabold Jul 14, 2016 6:45 PM UTC Donald Trump’s likely running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, doesn’t just contrast with him on style, but also on substance. Unlike the New York real estate mogul, Pence is a fairly typical Republican, a social and economic conservative who espouses traditional small-government ideas. Here’s a closer look at three issues where they differ. **On abortion** In March, Trump said he [backed “punishment” for women](http://time.com/4276862/donald-trump-abortion-ban-punishment/) who get abortions if they are banned. He later backtracked, saying women who get [abortions illegally “punish themselves.”](http://time.com/4340358/donald-trump-women-abortions-punish/) Trump’s initial statement attracted widespread condemnation, including criticism from Pence. “Governor Pence does not agree with the statement made by Donald Trump,” Pence’s office [said in a blunt statement in March](http://fox59.com/2016/03/31/gov-pence-disagrees-with-trumps-statements-on-abortion/). “The Governor believes that it’s important to focus on policies, as we advance the sanctity of life on those that are performing the abortions.” **On free trade** A cornerstone of Trump’s campaign has been his assertion that, if elected, he will make it difficult for foreign manufacturers to compete by placing tariffs on goods made abroad and shipped to the U.S. Last month, Trump blasted the Trans-Pacific Partnership i[n a speech on trade](http://time.com/4386335/donald-trump-trade-speech-transcript/) at a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, calling the TPP the “greatest danger yet.” Pence has been a [longtime campaigner for free trade.](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?prompt=1&promo=digital03%5Fpaywall&oscode=RPWH&wpsrc=CM0000446&page=business:blog:wonkblog%20-%20192771%20-%2020160711%20-%20a-leading-candidate-to-be-donald-trumps-vice-president-is-totally-at-odds-with-him-on-a-major-issue§ion=wp%20-%20business&prev=&geo=&ctype=blog&signedin=logged%20out&mcount=5&sub=0&ismetered=1&destination=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/07/11/a-leading-candidate-to-be-donald-trumps-vice-president-is-totally-at-odds-with-him-on-a-major-issue/&action=3&sub=0&mtr=1&mtrct=5&mtfn=1&t=10708&st=-1&loc=0&mvw=5&wa=3&fr=0&dt=0&mx=0&pwo=1&rwb=0&sgn=0&v=2.3&acq%5Ftest=1) He is opposed to tariffs on imported goods, supports TPP and also supported the North American Free Trade Agreement. In 1991, Pence ran an Indiana think tank that advocated for free-market policies. > [](https://twitter.com/GovPenceIN/status/509032682555457536) **On Muslim ban** In the wake of the San Bernardino shooting, Trump [called for a ban in December](http://time.com/4139476/donald-trump-shutdown-muslim-immigration/) of all Muslims entering the U.S. He reiterated that call in the [wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting](http://time.com/4366912/donald-trump-orlando-shooting-muslim-ban/). Trump has since said the ban would only apply to Muslims from “terrorist countries.” Pence reacted strongly to Trump’s call for a ban. In December, he called the idea “offensive and unconstitutional.” The governor doubled down on those comments earlier this week. Pence said he [still did not agree with the ban](http://Known for his optimism and cool demeanor, Pence is a stark contrast to Trump's bombast and showmanship.) but nonetheless would support Trump. > [](https://twitter.com/GovPenceIN/status/674249808610066433) Mike Pence differences with Donald Trump on multiple issues ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4406664/donald-trump-vice-president-mike-pence-issues/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4406664/donald-trump-vice-president-mike-pence-issues/"},"headline":"Mike Pence, Donald Trump's Likely Running Mate, Disagrees With Him on These 3 Issues","datePublished":"2016-07-14T18:45:40.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-22T23:16:06.260Z","description":"Mike Pence, Donald Trump's likely running mate, doesn't just contrast with him on style, but also on substance.","url":"https://time.com/4406664/donald-trump-vice-president-mike-pence-issues/","keywords":["Donald Trump","2016 Election topic","Mike Pence"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6cacc064d4101475/69889bf7428a9e5a91cd36c8/donald-trump-michael-mike-pence-running-mate-vice-president-veep-pick-8.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Will Drabold","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/will-drabold/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6cacc064d4101475/69889bf7428a9e5a91cd36c8/donald-trump-michael-mike-pence-running-mate-vice-president-veep-pick-8.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Donald Trump. 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