Washington - US President Joe Biden has expressed support for striking car workers in Michigan during a visit to their picket line, marking a first for a sitting US president.

Mr. Biden stated that the workers deserve the wage increases and other concessions they are seeking.

His visit coincides with that of his potential rival, Donald Trump, who is due to arrive the following day.

However, workers have told the BBC that they fear the two politicians might politicize the strike and have urged them to refrain from involvement.

In brief remarks to the striking workers on Tuesday, President Biden, a Democrat, affirmed that they "deserve the significant pay raise you need and other benefits." He also emphasized that the workers should be reaping the rewards just as much as the companies they work for.

While US lawmakers and presidential candidates often show solidarity with American workers by appearing at strikes, it is considered unprecedented for a sitting president to do so.

Some workers expressed hope that the attention from both President Biden and his rival could aid their cause. However, others dismissed the visits as political stunts aimed at gaining votes and believed they would have little practical impact on the negotiations.

"We would much rather neither of them showed up," said longtime Ford worker Billy Rowe. "We don't want to divide people, and when you bring politics into it, it's going to cause an argument."

In September, the UAW declared a strike targeting Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, pushing for better pay and working conditions.

The White House clarified that it was not directly involved in the negotiations. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the president's visit to Michigan was intended to show support for the car workers.

President Biden believes "that the men and women of the UAW deserve a fair share of the record profits they've helped to create," said Jean-Pierre.

The visit comes as both Republicans and Democrats focus on the electorally important "Rust Belt," where blue-collar workers like UAW members form a vital voting bloc. Michigan promises to be a battleground for these votes in upcoming elections.

The UAW endorsed Mr. Biden in 2020 but has yet to name a preferred candidate for the 2024 election, stating that the union's support must be "earned."

President Biden's visit also aligns with his administration's push for increased electric vehicle (EV) production in the US. However, union members are concerned that EVs require fewer workers and could be manufactured in non-union factories at lower wages.

Donald Trump, the former president and current Republican frontrunner, criticized Biden's visit as a "PR stunt" to divert attention from other issues like immigration and public safety.

Surveys indicate that a majority of Americans support the UAW's cause, and a recent Gallup poll found that 67% of Americans support unions in general.