Harris Labels Trump ‘One of the Biggest Losers’ in Manufacturing

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a prominent speech in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, outlining her economic agenda and contrasting it with that of former President Donald Trump. Speaking to an audience of around 400 people, including billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, Harris emphasized that her economic philosophy is influenced by her middle-class background, while she depicted Trump’s approach as stemming from a privileged life of wealth.

“For Donald Trump, our economy functions best for those who own the towering skyscrapers, not for those who build, wire, or clean them,” she stated, highlighting her view that the current economic system favors the wealthy at the expense of working-class individuals.

Harris criticized Trump’s economic track record during his presidency, particularly noting that despite his strong rhetoric against China, the trade deficit with China has been lower under the Biden administration than when Trump was in office. She further pointed out that nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during Trump’s term, starting even before the effects of the pandemic were felt. “Trump was one of the biggest losers when it comes to manufacturing,” she remarked.

These comments come as Harris seeks to change voters’ perceptions of Trump’s competence on economic matters. Current polling suggests that many voters trust Trump more than Harris in handling economic issues. Trump has accused Harris of being accountable for the current state of the economy, while critics argue that she has not provided sufficient details on how she would lead economically in the next four years.

According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted after a recent presidential debate, the economy ranked as the top issue for voters, with 91% indicating it was a priority. In that same poll, Trump was trusted more than Harris to manage economic affairs by a margin of seven points. A separate NBC News poll revealed an even larger gap, showing Trump ahead by nine points in economic handling.

In connection with her speech, Harris released an 81-page economic policy book, presenting her proposals in three key areas: lowering costs, investing in American innovation, and leading in future industries. She stated that her goals include removing barriers to economic opportunities and proposing practical solutions to help citizens buy homes, start businesses, and build their wealth.

Recently, Harris has focused her campaign on economic issues and the rising cost of living. She proposed several initiatives aimed at supporting first-time homebuyers by offering $25,000 in down payment assistance. Additionally, she plans to expand the small business startup tax credit from $5,000 to $50,000 and provide a $6,000 child tax credit for the first year of a newborn’s life.

Harris identified her strategy as one rooted in the notion of nurturing the middle class, likening her approach to what former President Franklin D. Roosevelt termed “bold, persistent experimentation.” To empower the middle class as an economic driver, she promised to cut taxes for middle-income families, ensuring that over 100 million Americans benefit from this tax break.

Addressing the pressing issue of housing affordability, Harris committed to increasing the supply of available housing. She vowed to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that hinder construction, confront corporate landlords who are accused of driving up rental prices, and partner with builders and developers to create three million new homes and rental options for the middle class.

In response to her speech, Trump is scheduled to deliver his own economic address in Michigan on Friday, aiming to present his economic vision to voters as the election approaches.