Biden pushes populist 'made in America' plan to pump up economy

Former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden delivers remarks on his economic recovery plan for working families.

SCRANTON, PA -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden returned to his childhoold hometown in Pennsylvania on Thursday during a trip where he proposed spending $700 billion on American products and research - in the hopes of bringing back millions of jobs lost by an economy flattened by the coronavirus pandemic.

The former vice president unveiled his populist plan during a speech at a metal works factory in Dunmore, Pa., just minutes from his childhood home in Scranton.

The American-centric proposals spotlighted by Biden will compete in this year’s White House race with the “America first” agenda long pushed by President Trump, who has emphasized protecting American workers and re-energizing domestic industries in decline while moving away from free trade and a global economy.

The first part of the former vice president's proposal is a $400 billion investment by the federal government to purchase American products such as cement, concrete, steel, and other materials to rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

The former vice president also took a firm tone towards China, pushing for “aggressive trade enforcement actions.”.

The president's reelection campaign has slammed Biden for the slow economic recovery from the Great Recession during Biden's tenure as President Obama's vice president.

The former vice president greeted Ann Kearns - who now lives in the home and is a self-described big Biden fan - as well as several other neighbors.

Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a roundtable discussion on reopening the economy at Rajant Corporation, which makes wireless communication systems, in Malvern, Pa., Thursday, July 9, 2020.