Biden backs Tesla, Toyota unionization, celebrates deal that saved Belvidere plant

BELVIDERE, Illinois — President Joe Biden on Thursday backed the United Auto Workers' efforts to unionize carmakers Tesla and Toyota and asked autoworkers to reject his Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

Biden spoke to UAW workers in Belvidere, Illinois, as the Democratic president tries to rally support for his economic agenda and firm up sagging popularity numbers, ahead of a re-election campaign next year.

Donning a red UAW T-shirt, Biden congratulated Shawn Fain, the head of the UAW, and highlighted the tentative contract agreements between the union and Detroit's Big Three Automakers that ended a nearly 45-day strike. One outcome of the strike was a pledge by Stellantis to keep the doors open at Belvidere Assembly by building a new midsize pickup there. The plant was idled earlier this year.

En route to the event, Biden told reporters that he “absolutely” supports the UAW's efforts to unionize Tesla and Toyota workers.

«I want this type of contract for all autoworkers,» Biden said.

In response to Biden's remarks, Toyota said it wants to «foster positive morale» and boost productivity in its workforce. «The decision to unionize is ultimately made by our team members,» the Japanese automaker said in a statement.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the remark by Biden, who has backed UAW efforts in other speeches.

Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, visited a nonunion factory in Michigan in September while Biden joined a picket line with striking UAW workers, Biden reminded workers.

«I hope you guys have a memory,» said Biden. «Where I come from, it matters.» While union workers represent only 10% of the U.S. workforce, their support in states like Michigan was key to Biden's election in 2020 and is expected to play a big factor in 2024.

Fain previously said the union would seek to organize the nonunion workforces in the U.S. plants of foreign carmakers. Union leaders have signaled Toyota could be one of the first to face those efforts, especially at its sprawling Georgetown, Kentucky, plant.

Biden 's comments may renew friction between the U.S. president and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, especially as the UAW seeks to