US President throws support behind auto workers’ strike

United States President Joe Biden has travelled to Detroit, Michigan to voice his support for the United Auto Workers' strike.

He became the first sitting president in history to visit a picket line – with almost 13,000 UAW members currently arguing for more pay from the 'Big Three' car-makers, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis (the parent company of Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler, among others).

"I marched in a lot of UAW picket lines when I was a senator – since 1973 – but, I tell you what, it’s the first time I’ve ever done it as president," Pres Biden said outside a General Motors facility.

"The fact of the matter is that you guys, the UAW – you saved the automobile industry back in 2008 and before. You made a lot of sacrifices … But now they’re doing incredibly well. And guess what? You should be doing incredibly well too," he said, speaking to the workers through a megaphone.

"Folks, stick with it, because you deserve the significant raise you need and other benefits," he added.

Michigan is considered a battleground state in the 2024 US presidential election.

MORE: More than 12,000 Ford, GM and Jeep workers go on strike in the US

But Mr Biden won't be the only president to visit the picket line this week, with former President Donald Trump reportedly set to hold a rally on Wednesday.

"Joe Biden's draconian and indefensible Electric Vehicle mandate will annihilate the US auto industry and cost countless thousands of autoworkers their jobs," Mr Trump wrote on social media.

However, Mr Trump's rally is set to be hosted at Drake Enterprises – a transmission supplier, whose employees are not represented by the UAW.