Huntsman is a Republican, with conservative fiscal credentials and a mixture of positions on social issues. He has been described as "a conservative technocrat-optimist with moderate positions who was willing to work substantively with President Barack Obama."[48] As governor, Huntsman listed economic development, health-care reform, education, and energy security as his top priorities. He oversaw large tax cuts and advocated reorganizing the way that services were distributed so that the government would not become overwhelmed by the state's fast growing population. He also proposed a plan to reform health-care, mainly through the private sector, by using tax breaks and negotiation to keep prices down.[49] In 2007, when asked about a healthcare mandate, Huntsman said, "I'm comfortable with a requirement -- you can call it whatever you want, but at some point we're going to have to get serious about how we deal with this issue".[50]

In a 2008 evaluation of state governors' fiscal policies, the libertarian Cato Institute praised Huntsman's conservative tax policies, ranking him in a tie for fifth place on overall fiscal policy. He was particularly lauded for his efforts to cut taxes, where he received the highest score on tax policy of all 50 governors. The report specifically highlighted his reductions of the sales tax and simplification of the tax code.[51] However, the report concluded that: "Unfortunately, Huntsman has completely dropped the ball on spending, with per capita spending increasing at about 10 percent annually during his tenure."[51] He defines his taxation policy as "business friendly".[52] Huntsman has spoken out against his own party over the failure of the Republican-controlled State Senate to confirm his nominee for the Utah Court of Appeals.

Huntsman has strongly supported civil unions for years but not same-sex marriage.[53] As Utah's Governor, he supported legislation that would have allowed civil unions for same-sex couples in the state.[54] The governor also sees Utah as being uncompetitive with the rest of the nation in terms of securing the best teachers.[55]

In 2007, in response to the problem of global warming, Huntsman signed the Western Climate Initiative, by which Utah joined with other governments in agreeing to pursue targets for reduced production of greenhouse gases.[56] He also appeared in an advertisement sponsored by Environmental Defense, in which he said, "Now it's time for Congress to act by capping greenhouse-gas pollution."[56] In 2011, however, Huntsman said, "Cap-and-trade ideas aren’t working; it hasn’t worked, and our economy’s in a different place than five years ago. Much of this discussion happened before the bottom fell out of the economy, and until it comes back, this isn’t the moment."[57]

On foreign policy, Huntsman has repeatedly stated, "We need to continue working closely with China to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program." He has also named Taiwan, human rights, and Tibet among the "areas where we have differences with China" and vowed "robust engagement" on human rights if confirmed. The governor, who lived in Taiwan as a Mormon missionary, said he felt "personally invested in the peaceful resolution of cross-strait differences, in a way that respects the wishes of the people on both Taiwan and the mainland. He said that current US policy "supports this objective, and I have been encouraged by the recent relaxing of cross-strait tensions."[58] Huntsman is a strong supporter of Israel and has made several visits to Israel.[59]

...who lived in Taiwan as a Mormon missionary

As governor, Huntsman listed economic development, health-care reform, education, and energy security as his top priorities.

However, the report concluded that: "Unfortunately, Huntsman has completely dropped the ball on spending, with per capita spending increasing at about 10 percent annually during his tenure."

Huntsman has strongly supported civil unions for years but not same-sex marriage.

The governor also sees Utah as being uncompetitive with the rest of the nation in terms of securing the best teachers.

The governor, who lived in Taiwan as a Mormon missionary,

Huntsman is a strong supporter of Israel and has made several visits to Israel.