Manufacturing states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are seen as key to the election, with both presidential candidates pitching to manufacturing voters.
I’ll start this blog with the usual disclaimer. The American Alliance for Manufacturing (AAM) is a nonpartisan organization, so we do not endorse political candidates, whether they are running for Congress, the President, or your local city council. .
But we need to pay attention to what candidates say about our issues during their campaigns, and encourage everyone running for office to put forward desirable policies to grow American manufacturing. Encourage. After all, some of these candidates may end up in positions of power. It’s good to know in advance what they’re going to do.
And last week, two candidates running for the world’s most powerful position decided to talk about manufacturing.
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have spoken at length in recent days about plans to expand factory jobs and U.S. production. Democratic presidential candidate Harris She presented her ideas in a big speech on the economy. In Pittsburgh. Trump, chosen by the Republican Party, pledged to “bring back America’s manufacturing power” during several election campaigns, including in Michigan.
I’ll explain more about their respective plans later, but suffice it to say that both Harris and Trump’s sudden and specific shift to manufacturing was shocking. Both men have certainly touched on manufacturing issues throughout their campaigns (including during solo debates), but so far neither has focused on manufacturing as a key element of their campaign messages.
election map may provide the greatest clue for this new strategy. Several states with strong manufacturing hubs are attracting attention, such as Wisconsin and North Carolina. Other battleground states, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, are not traditionally part of the “industrial heartland,” but manufacturing is a growing part of the economy. For example, Georgia Manufacturing sector is growing steadilyEspecially machines, processed metals, solar. On the other hand, Arizona Home of manufacturing facility For companies like Intel and Honeywell Aerospace, the sector’s growth is due to: Planned semiconductor facility;Nevada is A manufacturing boom is coming Hosts Tesla’s Gigafactory.
And the state that a lot of people look at is Pennsylvania. states that decide elections. I don’t think I need to tell you all about Pennsylvania’s manufacturing history, but suffice it to say: it’s really important to the economy of the Keystone State.
It was no surprise when Harris decided to formally announce a strategy for middle-class growth that included manufacturing. She did so in Steel City. Start with her plan.
Harris: “America’s economic strength is tied to its industrial strength.”
Harris’ speech to a crowd at Carnegie Mellon University touched on a number of issues, from artificial intelligence to prescription drug costs to tax reform. This blog will focus on issues directly related to manufacturing.
The vice president included manufacturing as part of the “Third Pillar of the Opportunity Economy,” and her goal is to “lead the world in the industries of the future and ensure America, not China, wins the competition in the 21st century.” He agreed with this statement. message frequently share According to the current commander.
Mr. Harris was not afraid to talk about the importance of industrial policy, saying it was the key to our nation’s economic success.
One of the recurring themes in American history is that when we make an intentional effort to invest in our nation’s industrial strength, it brings extraordinary prosperity and security, not just for years but for generations. That’s what it means.
Consider that Alexander Hamilton had the foresight to build our new nation’s manufacturing capacity. Remember Lincoln and the Transcontinental Railroad? Consider Eisenhower and the Interstate Highway System. Kennedy promised that America would win the space race and encourage innovation throughout society.
From the beginning of the nation, America’s economic power was tied to its industrial power, and it remains so today.
As president, Harris pledged that the United States would invest in areas such as biomanufacturing, aerospace, AI and quantum computing. He said the United States will expand its efforts in “clean energy innovation and manufacturing,” which is growing thanks to industrial policies such as the Inflation Control Act. Harris said the goal is “that the next generation of breakthroughs, from advanced batteries to geothermal to advanced nuclear power, will not just be invented, but built right here in America, by American workers.” “to guarantee that.”
“And we invest in the industries that made Pittsburgh, for example, a ‘steel city’ by providing tax credits to grow steel and steel and good union jobs in manufacturing communities like here in Mon Valley.” I will,” Harris continued. “And across all of these industries in the future, we will prioritize investments to strengthen factory cities. This is very important. and work with unions, because no one who grew up in America’s largest industrial and agricultural center should be left behind.”
Harris also promised to expand apprenticeship programs and ease construction requirements to help build factories faster. “I’ll tell you this: China isn’t moving slowly. It’s not. We can’t afford that either,” Harris said.
In her speech, Harris specifically criticized President Trump’s record on manufacturing, saying, “On President Trump’s watch, offshoring has increased and manufacturing jobs have declined across the country and throughout the economy.” . She also criticized the former president regarding China, claiming that “he has always been at the mercy of China.”
“When China violates the rules of the road at the expense of our workers, communities, and businesses, whether it’s adulterated or outright, whether it floods the market with steel, I will act swiftly and We will never hesitate to take strong action against unfair subsidies for shipbuilding or harming small businesses with counterfeit goods,” Harris said. “Remember that Donald Trump actually shipped advanced semiconductor chips to China, which helped strengthen China’s military power. Understand the impact of these so-called policies. It’s not about plans to strengthen our prosperity or our security. I’m never going to sell America to a competitor or an adversary.
It seems like a good time to take a deep dive into what President Trump is saying about manufacturing.
President Trump talks about “America’s new industrialism”
In true Donald Trump fashion, it’s hard to pinpoint one specific message he’s been pushing over the past few weeks. Mr. Trump, well, It seems like it’s everywhere Along with his recent statements. In a speech last weekend in the lead city of Erie, Pennsylvania, President Trump said: shoplifting crime to fracking To create something that is frankly misguided and unfair. Statements about immigration.
But Trump typically has opportunities to talk about manufacturing issues during campaign speeches. he stayed on message more Arrived in Michigan on Fridaywhere he set forth his goal of increasing automobile production in the United States. “I want German car companies to become American car companies. I want them to make cars in this country, not Germany. I want Asian electronics companies to become American car companies. “We want it to become the largest electronics company,” Trump said.
Earlier this week, President Trump told a crowd in Savannah, Georgia: he will lower taxes and regulations The aim is to attract more foreign companies to build factories in the United States. President Trump has said he would ease reviews and regulations to make construction easier. President Trump also said he would appoint a manufacturing ambassador to bring more investment to the United States, calling it “the new American industrialism.”
But no discussion of President Trump’s manufacturing plans would be complete without mentioning his promise to significantly increase tariffs. While the Biden administration announced that Strategic tariffs on many Chinese imports — including 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports — which the former president said he wanted to issue. Imposing a broad 60% tariff on all Chinese imports All other imported goods are subject to a 20% customs duty.
President Trump has been going after companies in recent weeks with threats of tariffs. For example, he said He would impose a 200% tariff on John Deere If a company moves production to Mexico.
Another Trump stance worth noting: He wants to repeal the entire anti-inflation law, including: Cancellation of unused dollars From the landmark method. However, Politico reports that some people close to Mr. Trump, including former U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, have warned that if Mr. reported to have said that it is likely to continue.
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Perhaps the most obvious difference between Harris and Trump on manufacturing policy is their focus. Although Harris has promised trade measures against countries like China, most of her policy recommendations have focused on industrial policy aimed at expanding and strengthening U.S. production, especially in critical areas. is guessing. Meanwhile, President Trump has turned his attention outward with policy proposals that would encourage foreign manufacturers to move to the United States and make it much harder to import goods into the United States.
Again, AAM does not endorse political candidates. Therefore, we do not say which policy prescription is considered better. But my point is that it is not enough to invest in domestic production or take a strong stance against China. The United States needs to do both to grow and strengthen its manufacturing capabilities.
The next president, whether Harris or Trump, must be prepared to strongly enforce trade laws, especially against China’s continued trade misconduct. But at the same time, the next president must prioritize expanding domestic manufacturing capacity, especially in areas critical to national and economic security.
As the election approaches, I will continue to pay attention to what both candidates have to say about the manufacturing industry. stay tuned.
