Former President Donald J. Trump plans to speak at a Michigan auto parts factory in an attempt to appeal to blue-collar workers. The factory, Drake Enterprises in Clinton Township, is a nonunion shop, which adds an interesting dynamic to Trump's speech. The company's president, Nathan Stemple, stated that he was not involved in inviting attendees and it is unclear whether any striking workers will be in the crowd.

This appearance comes just a day after President Joe Biden joined a picket line for striking United Automobile Workers (UAW) outside Detroit. The contrast between the two events is quite stark, as Biden showed solidarity with the union workers, while Trump will be speaking under the auspices of a nonunion employer. The Trump campaign claims that the crowd will consist of more than 500 plumbers, pipe-fitters, electricians, and autoworkers, but the UAW denies any effort to recruit attendees through their locals.

The UAW has been critical of Trump's lack of support during a strike against General Motors (G.M.) in 2019, and UAW President Shawn Fain expressed no interest in meeting with the former president during his visit. Trump, who has not commented on the striking autoworkers' demands for a 40 percent pay raise over four years, has aimed to separate rank-and-file union members from union leaders, who tend to endorse Democrats. His strategy seemed successful in the 2020 election, as he won about four in 10 votes from union households.

One of the main points of contention between Trump and Biden is the transition to electric vehicles. The UAW argues that this shift is inevitable and driven by consumer demand, but they also seek to ensure that zero-emission vehicles are made by workers earning union wages. Trump, on the other hand, has attacked the Biden administration's push for electric vehicles and has claimed that autoworkers are "being sold down the river by their leadership."

Marick Masters, a professor of business with a focus on labor issues at Wayne State University, points out that the economic uncertainty surrounding the transition to electric vehicles worries many autoworkers. This uncertainty provides Trump with a political opening, as his message resonates with a broad range of workers. Stemple, the president of Drake Enterprises, echoes these concerns, stating that a rapid switch to electric vehicles would decimate his family company since they primarily produce gear shift levers that are not necessary for electric vehicles.

Trump's record with autoworkers is mixed. During his term, he pressured automakers to keep their factories in the United States, but auto manufacturing jobs suffered during the pandemic. Biden, on the other hand, has exceeded the highest level of auto jobs under Trump's administration. Both Trump and Biden's visits to Michigan highlight the importance they place on securing support from working-class voters in the upcoming presidential race.

In his speech, Trump is expected to criticize Biden's economic policies and warn of job losses in the auto industry due to the push for electric vehicles. Trump's event at Drake Enterprises, a non-unionized auto supplier, emphasizes his strategy of appealing directly to blue-collar workers rather than engaging in the Republican presidential debate scheduled for the same night. Meanwhile, the UAW plans to release a video highlighting the shutdown of a General Motors plant in Ohio in 2018, suggesting that Trump failed to prevent it.

As the 2024 presidential race approaches, both Trump and Biden are vying for the support of working-class voters in critical Rust Belt states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Trump lost Michigan in 2020, and winning back these key states will be crucial for both parties next year. The visits by both candidates to Michigan demonstrate the significance of this voter base and their desire to secure their support.