Harris proposes ‘America Forward’ plan, offers tax breaks to boost domestic manufacturing

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Wednesday proposed tax breaks for domestic manufacturers and outlined an economic plan to strengthen the middle class.

Speaking at the Economic Club of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, Harris outlined $100 billion in new investment in manufacturing. She unveiled her “America Forward” proposal, aimed at boosting investment, creating more manufacturing jobs and developing sectors that “will define the next century,” such as artificial intelligence and energy, NBC reported.

“This plan will cost approximately $100 billion and will be paid for with some of the proceeds from international tax reform. This reform is designed to prevent a global race to the bottom and discourage corporate inversion, outsourcing and international tax strategies so they don’t have to pay their fair share to the United States,” Harris’ campaign fact sheet reads.

“I have pledged that building a strong middle class will be the most important goal of my presidency,” the vice president said.

As the presidential election approaches, Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump are focusing their campaigns on the economy, the top concern of American voters.

Harris has described herself as a “capitalist” who believes in “free and fair markets” and said her policies are pragmatic and not rooted in any particular ideology, Reuters reported.

“I promise you that I will be pragmatic in my approach. Because I believe that we should not be limited by ideology and instead seek practical solutions to problems,” Harris said. “I am a capitalist. I believe in free and fair markets.”

Harris also pledged to cut red tape to boost domestic manufacturers and reduce the demand for unnecessary college degrees required for several federal jobs.

The vice president, who has been criticized for being soft on policy issues, lashed out at Trump, saying her Republican rival’s economic agenda would lead to higher prices. Harris called him the candidate of the billionaire class, saying: “Donald Trump has no intention of lowering costs for the middle class. In fact, his economic agenda would raise prices.”

Harris highlighted Trump’s wealthy upbringing in contrast to her middle-class background, saying he is “only interested in making life better for himself and people like himself, the wealthiest Americans.”

According to Pew Research, the gap between rich and poor has widened significantly in recent years. The American middle class, defined as those with two-thirds to twice the median household income, has fallen from 62% in 1970 to 51% in 2023. Income growth for these households has also been slow compared to the top echelons.

Meanwhile, Trump, discussing his economic plan in North Carolina on Wednesday, pointed out that Harris had her chance to improve the economy as vice president. “Families are suffering right now. So if she has a plan, she needs to stop bragging and do it,” he said.