Vice President Kamala Harris’ tax policies could cripple the U.S. economy — especially when it comes to capital growth and upholding the coveted American dream, according to « Shark Tank » star Kevin O’Leary.
The O’Leary Ventures chairman schooled the Democratic presidential nominee and warned of the « multiple effects » these policies would have, not only for business, but for Americans on a personal level.
« Taxes will go up with their proposals, » he said Thursday on FOX Business’ « The Big Money Show, » also adding « she’s admitting that, she’s not denying it. »
« That’s a debate that’s going on in terms of the classic, ‘make the rich pay their fair share,’ » he continued. « That’s a narrative that goes into every single election cycle. »
O’LEARY SOUNDS OFF ON HARRIS’ ‘INSANE,’ ‘UN-AMERICAN’ PROPOSALS AHEAD OF ANTICIPATED CNN INTERVIEW
While Trump and Harris have both highlighted new tax provisions in their 2024 plans, Harris’ campaign website listed policies that include: quadrupling the tax on stock buybacks; imposing a 25% « minimum » tax on wealthy households; and increasing taxes on capital gains and dividends for households making more than $1 million from 20% to 28%.
However, O’Leary, also known as « Mr. Wonderful, » stressed the implications of Harris setting the corporate tax rate at 28%.
« The more concerning one for the economy, not just personal taxes, is corporate tax rates. That, at her proposed 28%, would put the U.S. economy in an uncompetitive position, » he said.
O’Leary continued pointing out that higher corporate tax rates would potentially drive business and investment out of America.
« Last time we did this to ourselves, we started to see dislocation of headquarters moving to places like Ireland and other lower tax jurisdictions, » he explained. « That, we shouldn’t do. That’s a mistake for either party. That’s a huge mistake. »
Using the G7 and G20 meetings, where global leaders meet regularly to discuss top geopolitical issues, as examples, O’Leary further clarified his position.
« We’re right in the middle, right now, in the G7, G20. So if all of a sudden we start charging [a] 28% corporate tax rate, plus add on state [taxes], in some cases, you’re in the 30 [percentile] and that’s just not competitive anymore in terms of the G20 or G7, » he said.
« That’s, to me, the most horrific outcome, and I’m very nervous about that. »
Nonetheless, despite who is elected to the White House come November, O’Leary claimed policy « uncertainty » is a major concern.
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« This [is] a policy-lite election. I’m disappointed that Harris doesn’t give us more policy specifically on taxes, specifically on corporate taxes. I need to know that. So does everybody else, » he said, also emphasizing that higher corporate taxes create fewer opportunities to create capital.
« Remember, this is the No. 1 economy on Earth… 50% of capital invested worldwide comes here. We don’t want to do anything to change that, » he said.
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FOX Business’ Breck Dumas contributed to this report.