Wal-Mart proposes policy actions to boost U.S. manufacturing

On Wednesday, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. laid out 10 policy actions to boost U.S. manufacturing. In discussions with governmental organizations in Washington, D.C., the plan could help bring $300 billion of consumer goods back to the country. The U.S. currently imports $650 billion in consumer goods.

The world's largest retailer said barriers to current manufacturing include a lack of available qualified workers and financing to support U.S. manufacturers, complex regulations that create high compliance costs and legal risks, and the need for an overhaul of the U.S. tax system and trade deals.

The proposal included building vocational training programs, reducing costs to train workers, rebranding manufacturing to attract workers, closing supply chain gaps, creating a globally competitive tax environment and expanding tax deductions to foster manufacturing investments.

Wal-Mart's plan could lead to an additional 1.5 million direct manufacturing jobs.

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