HUDSON, N.H. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman called Wednesday for sweeping tax changes and new trade agreements to help revitalize the nation's manufacturing sector and create jobs.

Struggling in the polls, the former Utah governor became the first active Republican contender to offer a detailed job-creation blueprint, timing it for the week before President Barack Obama and GOP rival Mitt Romney announce their own plans.

Huntsman called for eliminating taxes on capital gains and reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent, similar to pitches his rivals make while campaigning. His plan also drastically lowers personal income tax rates, while ending popular tax credits and deductions that affect the middle class, such as the mortgage interest deduction and child tax credit.

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