RALEIGH, North Carolina, United States — In a keynote address focused on the economy, Vice President Kamala Harris introduced several populist policies aimed at addressing economic inequality and inflation. Speaking in Raleigh, North Carolina, Harris detailed her plans to implement a federal ban on “price gouging” in the food industry and discussed significant tax credits aimed at easing financial burdens for families and first-time home buyers.
In her first economic policy speech, Harris proposed a $6,000 tax credit per child for the first year and up to $25,000 to help new homeowners with their down payments. These measures, she noted, are designed to “reduce costs and improve economic security for every American.”
The speech, delivered at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on the campus of Wake Tech Community College, also highlighted tuition reductions for more than 100 million students from middle- and low-income families. Harris’s proposals come at a crucial time as she prepares for a contested presidential race against former President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee.
Harris criticized current economic policies under Trump, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the high costs of essential goods like food. “As president, I will prioritize controlling the skyrocketing costs that are deeply impacting everyday Americans,” Harris said.
This campaign event is closely followed by Harris’s public appearance with President Joe Biden, where they touted their administration’s success in lowering drug prices. President Biden expressed strong support for Harris, saying, “She’s going to be a great president.”
Harris’s campaign also took aim at big companies, accusing them of exploiting consumers through excessive profits, particularly in the meatpacking industry, which she described as “highly consolidated.”
Trump’s criticism
Former President Trump quickly responded to Harris’s proposals, labeling them “communist price controls” and warning that such policies would lead to food shortages and higher inflation. His campaign blasted Harris’s economic strategy with a memo titled “Comrade Kamala Goes Full Communist.”
In contrast, Harris described Trump’s economic strategies as pro-rich, with large tax cuts for multimillionaires and significant corporate tax cuts.
As the United States prepares for the next election, economic policy remains a central battleground. Both candidates have pledged substantial federal support for the service sector and health care workers, though critics argue that these proposals could be exploitative and may not effectively help low-income workers.
Economic experts stress the importance of fiscal responsibility, especially given the current $28 trillion federal debt, which is set to increase over the next decade.
As the presidential race heats up, economic stewardship continues to be a critical issue for voters, with recent polls suggesting a shift in public opinion about which candidate could best handle the country’s economic challenges.