Joe Biden touts ‘Buy American’ as he picks populist economic message for election

Joe Biden has announced a new “Buy American” economic approach and pledged $700 billion in investment commitments as he looks to erode Donald Trump’s poll lead on handling the US economy. 

The presumptive Democratic nominee for November’s presidential election chose a metal works near his childhood hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, as the site for a speech heavy on policy to rebuild the economy. 

Mr Biden proposed $400 billion more in government purchasing of US-based goods and services and $300 billion in new research and development in US technology firms, as well as tightening rules on what products could be stamped with “made in America”. 

He also repeatedly drew contrasts between his approach and that of Mr Trump, framing the US president as out of touch with middle America and too willing to help the wealthiest in the country.  

“His failures come with a terrible human cost and a deep economic toll,” Mr Biden said of Mr Trump at one point. He added: “Time and again, working families are paying the price for this administration’s incompetence.”

With less than four months to go until the election, the speech amounted to an attempt by Mr Biden to challenge Mr Trump on ground which has traditionally been seen as his political strength.

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