Business
Kamala Harris Critiques Trump’s Economic Policies and Outlines Her Vision
Explore Kamala Harris’s critique of Trump’s economic policies as she outlines her vision for a more equitable and sustainable economy. Discover her key proposals and how they aim to benefit working families and promote growth.
Kamala Harris on the Economy: A Contrast with Trump
During the inaugural Democratic presidential debate in 2019, Kamala Harris, who was then serving as a senator from California, delivered a powerful critique of the Trump administration’s economic policies. She characterized President Donald J. Trump’s tax cuts as a significant windfall for the wealthy, while asserting that the flourishing stock market had largely excluded the middle class. Moreover, she voiced concern that Trump’s erratic trade strategies were adversely affecting farmers in America’s heartland.
“Frankly, this economy is not working for working people,” Ms. Harris stated emphatically. “For too long the rules have been written in the favor of the people who have the most and not in favor of the people who work the most.”
As Ms. Harris contemplates a potential transition to the forefront of the Democratic ticket, she now faces the pressing challenge of articulating her own vision for navigating an American economy that continues to wrestle with inflation. At the same time, she must draw stark contrasts with Mr. Trump, who has promised additional tax reductions and the continuation of his controversial tariff policies.
Throughout her tenure in the Biden administration, Ms. Harris has been a staunch advocate for the White House’s economic initiatives, championing the merits of significant legislation such as the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. However, her past roles as attorney general and senator revealed a more progressive stance compared to the president, as she advocated for universal health care and more substantial tax benefits aimed at working-class Americans, proposing to finance these initiatives through higher taxes on corporations.
In recent weeks, Ms. Harris has embarked on an economic “opportunity tour,” where she has been actively promoting the narrative that wage growth has surpassed inflation rates, that job opportunities in manufacturing are on the rise, and that Democrats have been committed to alleviating student loan debt burdens. These arguments are indicative of the case she intends to present to voters as she prepares to run against Mr. Trump.