WASHINGTON

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Friday she aims to lower costs and expand opportunities for working and middle-class Americans if elected president in November.

"We know that many Americans don't yet feel that progress in their daily lives. Costs are still too high.

"As President, I will be laser-focused on creating opportunities for the middle class that advance their economic security, stability and dignity. Together, we will build what I call an opportunity economy," Harris said at a campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Harris said she will bring together labor with small businesses and major companies to invest in America, to create good jobs and achieve broad-based growth.


"Key to creating this opportunity economy is building up our middle class. It is essential. The middle class is one of America's greatest strengths," she added.


Stressing that building up the middle class will be a "defining goal" of her presidency, Harris said: "Because I strongly believe when the middle class is strong, America is strong."


Turning to the Republican nominee and former US President Donald Trump, she said he plans to "devastate" the middle class, punish working people, and make the cost of living go up for millions of Americans.

"On the other hand, when I'm elected president, what we'll do to bring down costs, increase the security and stability financially of your family and expand opportunity for working and middle-class Americans," she added.