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Sen. Kamala Harris appealed directly to business in a major speech in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, describing herself as a “capitalist” who believes in “free and fair markets” and “active collaboration between government and the private sector.”
The Democratic presidential candidate sought to draw a sharp contrast between himself and his Republican opponent Donald Trump in his most far-reaching comments yet about the US economy.
Speaking to the Economic Club of Pittsburgh in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania, Harris positioned herself as a champion of the working and middle class and argued that Trump was focused on the wealthiest Americans.
“He has no intention of expanding the middle class. All he cares about is making life better for himself and for people like him who are the wealthiest in America,” Harris said.
“For Donald Trump, our economy works best when it works for the people who own the skyscrapers, not the people who actually build them, wire them, and mop their floors.”
Harris criticized Trump’s trade policies in an interview with MSNBC later that day. While the Biden administration has maintained most of Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports and added some new ones, Trump has proposed imposing tariffs of up to 20% on all imports as part of a much more aggressive trade policy. Harris said Trump was “not very serious” about proposing such “blanket” tariffs.
President Trump and his allies have called Vice President Harris “Comrade Kamala” and have sought to portray her as a California liberal and Marxist.
But Harris rejected that view on Wednesday, saying that while she is a “committed public servant” and a “strong supporter of workers and unions,” she recognizes the “limits of government” and believes policymakers need to engage with private sector job creators.
“I believe most businesses are trying hard to do the right thing for their customers and the employees who depend on them, and we must work with them to grow our economy,” she said. “An active partnership between government and the private sector is one of the most effective ways to fully unlock economic opportunity.”
With a month and a half until the November presidential election, Wednesday’s speech marked Harris’ fourth visit to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, arguably the most crucial state for her as she bids to succeed Joe Biden, since launching her campaign in July.
With polls showing her and Trump in a close race nationally and in key battleground states, Harris is under increasing pressure to spell out her economic policies and outline more of where she differs from Biden, as polls have consistently shown voters view the economy as a No. 1 policy issue heading into November.
The vice president’s speech came a day after President Trump outlined his plan for a “New American Industrialism” and warned trading partners to attract jobs and manufacturing to the U.S. The Republican nominee has touted a protectionist economic strategy, massive tax cuts and high tariffs.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said in a statement after Harris’ speech that the vice president was “right” to say “it’s time to turn the page.”
“She’s had three and a half years of trying and failed,” Leavitt added. “Personal savings are down, credit card debt is up, small business optimism is at an all-time low, and people are struggling to afford housing, groceries and gas. Every time Kamala speaks, it becomes more and more clear that only President Trump can make America prosperous again.”
Harris has proposed raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% and working to boost housing supply, as well as expanding tax breaks for families with children and first-time homebuyers.
But her plans to crack down on price gouging in the food sector have drawn criticism from economists across the political spectrum, who warn the proposals could lead to harmful market distortions.
The economy has become a political weak spot for Biden and Harris after inflation hit its highest level in decades in 2022. A recent poll by the Financial Times and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business found that just 17% of voters said they have become better off financially since Biden took office.
But there are signs that voters are warming to Harris on the economy, with inflation calming and the labor market remaining strong in recent months.
According to the latest FT-Michigan Ross Poll, 44% of voters say they trust Harris on economic policy, while 42% say they trust Trump.
Additional reporting by James Politi in Washington
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