(NewsNation) — As President Joe Biden vows to remain in the race despite concern from Democrats, he is also welcoming NATO members to Washington, D.C., for a summit.
The president will greet world leaders individually before attending the first of several meetings.
Before the summit, Biden stopped by the AFL-CIO headquarters, the largest federation of trade unions in the country, to thank the organization for its continued support.
“We’re the strongest economy in the world. We got to talk to our people. Food prices are still too high because of corporate greed. We’re in a situation where rents are too high. We need more housing and a whole range of things,” Biden said. “We’re gonna get it done with your help in the second term, because that’s what we’ve got to get done. So folks, I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s chances. Not because of me, because of what we’re doing together. I really mean it.”
Biden has called himself the most pro-union president in American history. Today, he touted that same message as he was surrounded by dozens of union members. There were signs reading unions for Biden-Harris and the speaker introducing him said “welcome, this is your home. We have your back.”
In his remarks, Biden touted the middle class as the backbone of the country and discussed growing the economy. The economy has become a top issues for voters ahead of the November election, with many Americans feeling squeezed by high prices.
Following the meeting, Biden headed for a busy day at NATO’s 75th Anniversary Summit. The president will join in several meetings and spoke last night to kick off the summit as eyes around the world and in his own party watched closely.
“An overwhelming bipartisan majority of Americans understand that NATO makes us all safer,” Biden said. “The fact that both Democratic and Republican parties are represented here today is a testament to the fact. The American people know the progress we’ve made in the past 75 years has happened behind the shield of NATO.”
Some of the remarks were reminiscent of his speech in Poland last year on Ukraine. There are a lot of questions about the future of NATO if Biden is not reelected. He has spoken passionately about his support for Ukraine and standing by NATO, including in that speech last night.
Former President Donald Trump has floated stepping away from NATO but posted last night on Truth Social that NATO wouldn’t be anywhere without him.
Tonight, Biden will return to the White House and welcome new British Prime Minister Kier Starmer in the Oval Office. Later, he will welcome NATO leaders and allies for a dinner.