Kamala Harris lays out plan for US ‘opportunity economy’ in first policy speech
- Democratic Party candidate outlines populist proposals that expand on Joe Biden’s agenda and criticises Donald Trump’s tariff threats
US Vice-President Kamala Harris called for expanded US employment, increased opportunities for Americans and more secure supply chains on Friday in her first major policy speech since replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.
“As president, I will be laser focused on creating opportunities for the middle class that advance their economic security, stability and dignity,” she said to an enthusiastic crowd of about 300 at a community college in the contested state of North Carolina.
“Together, we will build what I call an opportunity economy … an economy where everyone can compete and have a real chance to succeed.”
With 80 days left before the November election, her 28-minute speech expanded on some policies promoted by Biden, including a plan to build 3 million new homes, enact child tax credits of up to US$3,600 annually and ban “price gouging” by food companies.
“He wants to impose what is, in effect, a national sales tax on everyday products and basic necessities that we import from other countries that will devastate Americans,” she said.
