WASHINGTON/TOLEDO, Ohio- President Joe Biden is set to visit Michigan on Tuesday to express his backing for the United Auto Workers' ongoing strike against Detroit's major automakers, positioning himself at the center of a contentious labor dispute.

In a move highlighting his commitment to labor unions and their right to engage in collective bargaining, the Democratic President's visit coincides with former President Donald Trump's scheduled appearance in the state the following day.

Biden's pro-union stance was made clear in a statement on the X social media platform (formerly Twitter), where he stated, "Tuesday, I’ll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.

It’s time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs."

This visit carries added significance as Biden gears up for re-election in 2024, where he is likely to face off against Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Trump's campaign labeled Biden's Michigan trip as a "cheap photo op" orchestrated in response to Trump's own announced visit.

The UAW extended an invitation to President Biden to visit their picket lines, and concurrently announced an expansion of their strike from Detroit to parts distribution centers across the United States affiliated with General Motors and Stellantis, although progress has been reported in negotiations with Ford Motor.

Historian Jeremi Suri commented on the rarity of a sitting president visiting strikers, highlighting that even pro-labor President Jimmy Carter refrained from such actions. This move marks a significant shift in Biden's approach, positioning his presidency in solidarity with striking workers, rather than aligning with industry or maintaining neutrality.

While many unions have endorsed Biden's re-election, the UAW has not yet given its endorsement, emphasizing the need for automakers to share record corporate profits with UAW workers, a sentiment echoed by union leaders.

Both the Detroit automakers and the UAW have substantial interests in federal policy decisions, particularly concerning subsidies for electric vehicle production and negotiations regarding rapid transitions to electric vehicles and their potential impact on jobs.

Trump, aiming to regain blue-collar voter support lost to Biden in 2020, plans to address auto workers in Detroit and has called on union workers to disregard their leadership. However, it remains uncertain whether Trump will visit the picket lines.

The UAW President, Shawn Fain, criticized Trump for his ties to the "billionaire class" and an economic system that favors the wealthy over workers.

The last U.S. president to openly support striking workers was likely Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, when he invited striking coal workers to the White House amid concerns of a coal shortage.

Opinions among picket line workers on Biden's potential visit were mixed, with some advocating for political figures to stay out of the dispute and others welcoming Biden's support to shed light on the negotiations and nudge companies towards resolution.