The Biden Plan to Ensure the Future Is “Made in All of America” by All of America’s Workers

Joe Biden introduced an ambitious and comprehensive strategy to ensure that America's future is “Made in All of America” by all of America’s workers. The plan leverages the talent, resilience, and innovation of the American people, along with the full power of the federal government, to revitalize manufacturing, spur technological breakthroughs, and create an inclusive economy that supports all Americans.

This vision rests on a strong belief that the United States can reclaim its leadership in manufacturing and technology by investing strategically in its people, infrastructure, and industries. Biden rejects the idea that automation and globalization have made high-paying union jobs unattainable and views this moment as an opportunity for economic renewal.

The Need for Bold Action

Under previous administrations, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency, America’s manufacturing sector faced significant challenges and continued decline. Despite promises to revitalize American manufacturing, Trump’s policies often prioritized corporate profits over meaningful investments in domestic production. Tax cuts for corporations were implemented without requiring companies to reinvest in American jobs or facilities, leading many businesses to focus on shareholder returns rather than workforce expansion or innovation at home.

Furthermore, the administration's trade strategy failed to substantially curb unfair trade practices by nations like China. While tariffs and trade wars made headlines, they often hurt American farmers and small businesses more than they addressed structural trade imbalances or intellectual property theft. Simultaneously, the prioritization of Wall Street over Main Street created an economy where financial markets soared, but manufacturing jobs continued to be outsourced, and industrial communities struggled to recover.

The result was a continuation of offshoring, where factories closed, and jobs moved overseas, leaving many American workers and regions behind. The lack of a coherent, long-term strategy to rebuild the industrial base exacerbated income inequality and economic stagnation in areas once thriving with manufacturing jobs.

The Six Pillars of Biden’s Manufacturing and Innovation Plan

Joe Biden’s plan to revitalize American manufacturing and innovation is structured around six critical pillars. These pillars address the U.S. economy's challenges and opportunities, aiming to create jobs, enhance competitiveness, and position the United States as a global leader in key industries.

1. Buy American: Strengthening Domestic Procurement

At the core of Biden’s vision is a straightforward idea: taxpayer money should be spent on American products, supporting American jobs and industries. This principle enshrined nearly 90 years ago in the Buy American Act, has not been fully realized due to corporate lobbying and loopholes that redirect federal spending to foreign companies. Biden is determined to eliminate these gaps and enforce the spirit of the law.

1. Tightening Domestic Content Rules
   Biden will ensure that products labeled “Made in America” meet stricter standards. Current rules allow items with as little as 51% domestic content to qualify. Biden’s reforms will require substantially higher thresholds to guarantee products reflect the contributions of American workers.
2. Cracking Down on Waivers
   Under current regulations, federal agencies can waive Buy American rules with minimal scrutiny. Biden will implement a transparent process where waiver requests are published publicly, allowing American businesses and stakeholders, such as labor unions, to respond. This approach, successfully implemented during the Recovery Act, will be expanded nationwide.
3. Supporting Small and Minority-Owned Businesses
   Biden plans to expand Manufacturing Extension Partnerships and launch new initiatives to help small businesses compete for federal contracts, particularly those owned by women and people of color. These measures will ensure a more inclusive and competitive procurement process.
4. Ending False Advertising
   Companies falsely labeling foreign-made products as “Made in America” will face stricter enforcement and penalties. It includes monitoring industries such as defense, where misleading claims have undermined domestic suppliers.
5. Extending Buy American to R&D Investments
   Biden will require taxpayer-funded research to benefit domestic manufacturing. Companies developing new technologies with public funding must produce those innovations in the U.S. or reimburse the government. It ensures that American ingenuity translates into American jobs.
6. Strengthening Buy America Provisions
   Biden’s plan extends Buy America rules, which mandate U.S.-produced steel, iron, and other materials for transportation projects, to reinforce the domestic supply chain. This measure supports critical industries and ensures infrastructure investments benefit American workers.
7. Modernizing Trade Rules for Procurement
   Recognizing the need for international collaboration, Biden will work with allies to modernize trade agreements, allowing countries to prioritize domestic procurement while fostering equitable trade practices.
8. Ship American: Supporting U.S. Maritime Industries
   Biden will enforce the Jones Act, which requires cargo transported between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-flagged vessels. This commitment will generate demand for American-made ships and support the Merchant Marine fleet.

A Historic Procurement Investment

Biden’s commitment to Buy American goes beyond enforcing existing laws. During his first term, he plans to implement a historic $400 billion investment in federal purchases of American-made products. This initiative represents the largest mobilization of public procurement since World War II, targeting sectors critical to economic growth, innovation, and national security.

1. Clean Energy and Vehicles
   Biden will commit tens of billions of dollars to purchase clean energy products, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. This will position the U.S. as a leader in the global clean energy market while supporting domestic manufacturers.
2. Infrastructure Materials
   Federal procurement will prioritize American steel, cement, concrete, and building materials. These purchases will drive the construction of resilient infrastructure and incentivize sustainable production practices.
3. Medical Supplies and Pharmaceuticals
   To prepare for future crises, Biden will invest in forward purchases of critical medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, ensuring robust stockpiles while supporting American manufacturers.
4. Advanced Industries
   The federal government will commit to purchasing technologies in cutting-edge fields, such as telecommunications, robotics, and artificial intelligence. These investments will create jobs, protect intellectual property, and strengthen national security.

Benefits of the Procurement Plan

Biden’s procurement strategy offers a multi-faceted approach to rebuilding the American industrial base. Key benefits include:

1. Job Creation
   By creating stable demand for American-made goods, Biden’s plan will spur job growth in manufacturing, transportation, and related sectors. The focus on small and minority-owned businesses ensures broader economic inclusion.
2. Stronger Supply Chains
   Strategic federal purchases will reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and build more resilient domestic supply chains, particularly in critical areas like medical equipment and advanced technology.
3. Economic Competitiveness
   Investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and advanced industries will position American businesses to compete globally, increasing exports and securing market leadership.
4. Environmental Sustainability
   Procurement commitments to clean energy technologies and sustainable materials will reduce emissions, supporting the transition to a green economy.
5. Inclusive Economic Growth
   By prioritizing contracts for small businesses and underrepresented groups, Biden’s plan promotes equitable access to federal procurement opportunities, ensuring all communities benefit.

Commitment to Worker Protections

Biden’s plan integrates strong labor standards into procurement contracts. Companies receiving federal contracts will be required to:

• Pay a minimum of $15 per hour.
• Provide paid leave and fair overtime practices.
• Allow workers the right to organize and bargain collectively.

These conditions ensure that taxpayer dollars not only support domestic production but also uphold the dignity of American workers.

Support for Small and Minority-Owned Businesses

Biden’s historic procurement investment will be designed to maximize opportunities for small businesses and those owned by women and minorities. Drawing from the Obama-Biden Administration’s success during the Recovery Act, Biden will:

• Allocate at least 23% of federal contracts to small businesses.
• Launch a Federal Procurement Center to assist minority-owned firms in applying for and winning federal contracts.
• Provide outreach, counseling, and formula-based awards to level the playing field for small business owners.

2. Make It in America: Revitalizing Manufacturing

Joe Biden’s “Make It in America” initiative aims to revitalize American manufacturing, focusing on small and medium-sized manufacturers as the backbone of the economy. By modernizing facilities, driving innovation, and promoting clean energy, the plan seeks to create jobs, strengthen industries, and position the U.S. as a global leader.

1. Support for Small and Medium Manufacturers
   • Establishing low-cost financing to help modernize factories and adopt clean energy technologies.
   • Quadrupling funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) to connect small businesses with federal contracts and modernization opportunities.
   • Introducing a Manufacturing Communities Tax Credit to incentivize revitalization and retooling of existing factories, ensuring investments benefit local workers.
2. Fostering Innovation
   • Expanding partnerships between manufacturers and research institutions, including HBCUs and minority-serving colleges, to drive technological advancement.
   • Connecting workers and manufacturers to cutting-edge technologies through collaborative efforts with unions and local governments.
3. Securing Leadership in the Auto Industry
   • Investing in electric vehicles (EVs) and clean energy technologies to maintain U.S. leadership in auto manufacturing.
   • Providing grants to retool factories for EV components and batteries while boosting domestic production of energy-efficient vehicles.

Biden’s strategy leverages public investment in infrastructure, clean energy, and federal procurement to create millions of manufacturing jobs, modernize industries, and ensure long-term U.S. competitiveness. This plan builds a resilient, sustainable foundation for America’s economic future.

3. Innovate in America: Unleashing Research and Development (R&D)

Joe Biden’s “Innovate in America” plan commits $300 billion over four years to federal research and development (R&D), aiming to create millions of jobs, rebuild the middle class, and secure U.S. leadership in critical industries like artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology, and 5G.

1. Historic R&D Investment
   • Increased funding for NIH, NSF, DOE, and a new ARPA-H focused on breakthrough medical innovations.
   • Support for cutting-edge technologies like AI, clean energy, and advanced materials.
   • Expansion of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to help small businesses commercialize technology.
2. Workforce Development
   • New technical training programs targeting digital and tech skills, especially for underrepresented groups.
   • Paid training for workers affected by automation and workplace changes.
   • Collaboration with unions to protect jobs and ensure smooth transitions.
3. Research Infrastructure
   • Building state-of-the-art labs, modernizing manufacturing equipment, and developing business parks to connect researchers with manufacturers.

Benefits

• Job Creation: Over 3 million jobs in advanced industries.
• Global Leadership: Ensures U.S. competitiveness in emerging technologies.
• Equity and Inclusion: Expands opportunities for women, minorities, and underserved communities.
• Taxpayer ROI: Federal investments will return royalties from profitable products to public projects.

Biden’s plan to invest in R&D ensures the U.S. leads in future industries, creates good-paying jobs, and fosters inclusive economic growth. This bold strategy secures America’s place as a global innovation leader.

4. Invest in All of America: Promoting Equity and Inclusion

Biden recognizes that economic opportunity from innovation has been concentrated in a few regions. Currently, 75% of venture capital flows to just three states, California, New York, and Massachusetts, while diverse communities nationwide remain underfunded. Biden’s plan ensures innovation is spread equitably by directing R&D investments to overlooked areas and historically underserved groups.

1. Invest in Over 50 Communities Nationwide: Biden will direct federal R&D funding to create new technology hubs in rural and urban areas, modeled on successful initiatives like Detroit’s LIFT and Youngstown’s “America Makes.”
2. Equitable Funding Allocation: Following Congressman Jim Clyburn’s 10-20-30 plan, Biden will ensure high-poverty areas receive federal R&D support. Special funding streams will support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).
3. Support Diverse Talent: Biden will create at least 200 new research centers of excellence at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, fund modern labs, and encourage partnerships between large universities and minority-serving institutions.

Building Pathways to Good Jobs

Too often, opportunities for high-paying, in-demand jobs are unevenly distributed. Biden’s plan invests in education, training, and partnerships to create equitable access to manufacturing and innovation careers.

1. Community College-Business Partnerships: Biden will expand collaborations between community colleges, businesses, unions, and local governments to create training programs aligned with in-demand skills.
2. Work-Based Learning Programs: Biden will scale up apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and labor-management training programs in fields like manufacturing, technology, and healthcare, with a focus on diversity.
3. Career Pathways for Underserved Groups: Funding will expand career coaching and workforce services to help women and people of color access training and job opportunities, ensuring inclusive economic growth.
4. Support for Workers in Transition: Biden will extend unemployment benefits for those enrolled in training programs, allowing workers to upskill for jobs in emerging industries while maintaining financial stability.

Empowering Communities Through Education and Equity

Biden’s strategy includes a $70 billion investment in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to support research, graduate programs, and STEM education. Additionally, his plan tackles workplace discrimination and harassment, ensuring all workers, especially women and people of color, can thrive in their careers.

• $35 Billion for Research and Facilities: Funding to create high-tech labs and strengthen graduate programs in fields like STEM.
• Combatting Discrimination: Biden will enforce equal pay laws and address workplace harassment to support women and communities of color.

Biden’s “Invest in All of America” plan ensures that federal investments in R&D, education, and workforce development benefit all communities, particularly those historically overlooked. By fostering innovation hubs, expanding educational access, and prioritizing diversity, the plan unlocks the full potential of America’s talent, driving economic growth and shared prosperity for generations to come.

5. Stand Up for American Workers: Fair Tax and Trade Policies

Joe Biden’s tax and trade plan prioritizes American workers, businesses, and communities by combating unfair foreign practices, reversing outsourcing incentives, and empowering unions. His approach focuses on creating jobs, strengthening the middle class, and ensuring the U.S. competes fairly and successfully in the global economy.

Tackling Unfair Trade Practices

• Enforce Trade Rules: Aggressively act against countries like China engaging in currency manipulation, dumping, and subsidies.
• Collaborate With Allies: Build a coalition to hold trade abusers accountable and address overcapacity in industries like steel and aluminum.
• Stop IP Theft: Impose sanctions on foreign firms that steal American intellectual property through cyberattacks or forced technology transfers.

Reforming Tax Policies

• End Outsourcing Incentives: Close loopholes that allow multinationals to pay lower taxes on overseas income and avoid taxes altogether.
• Claw-Back Provisions: Require companies to return public funds if they outsource jobs.
• Impose Carbon Fees: Introduce fees on imports from countries that fail to meet environmental standards, leveling the playing field for American workers.

Empowering Unions and Workers

• Labor Protections in Trade Deals: Only sign agreements with enforceable labor standards to ensure fair wages and safe conditions.
• Promote Unionization: Support unions domestically and globally to protect workers and build markets for U.S. products.

Biden’s strategy creates jobs, boosts wages, and strengthens communities by ensuring every tax and trade decision serves American workers. This plan builds a fair, competitive economy where workers share in prosperity and the U.S. leads globally.

6. Strengthen Supply Chains: Securing Critical Goods

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, highlighting the need for domestic production of essential goods. Biden’s plan focuses on reducing reliance on foreign suppliers for critical items such as medical equipment, semiconductors, and telecommunications technology.

• Rebuilding Stockpiles: Biden will ensure the U.S. maintains sufficient reserves of critical supplies to prepare for future crises. This includes medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and other essential goods.
• Using Federal Power: Tools like the Defense Production Act will be leveraged to prioritize domestic manufacturing of key items. Federal procurement will focus on supporting American-made products in critical industries.
• Allied Collaboration: Biden plans to work with international partners to modernize trade rules and secure supply chains across allied nations. This collaborative approach will reduce dependence on competitors like China and enhance resilience.

A Future Built in America

Joe Biden’s plan represents a bold vision for revitalizing American manufacturing and innovation. By investing in workers, fostering equitable growth, and leveraging the nation’s talent and resources, the plan aims to build a future that reflects the American people's strength, creativity, and determination. With strategic investments and a commitment to inclusivity, Biden’s vision ensures that America leads the global economy while leaving no community behind. This blueprint for economic renewal underscores the potential of a united effort to overcome challenges and build a brighter, more prosperous future for all.