Harris, who campaigned alongside Biden, opposed Nippon Steel's takeover of Amtrak

(Pittsburgh) U.S. Vice President Harris campaigned with President Joe Biden in the swing state of Pennsylvania to win support from blue-collar voters in the Rust Belt, and Harris said he would oppose a Japanese takeover of U.S. steel companies.

Harris and Biden met Monday with local union workers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was the first time the two had appeared together at a campaign rally since Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee.

Harris said at the rally that she and Biden were "proud to be the most union-friendly administration in American history" and argued that U.S. Steel should stay at home.

"U.S. Steel is an American company with a long history, and keeping American steel strong is critical to our country," she said. "I strongly agree with President Biden that U.S. Steel should continue to be owned and operated by Americans."

The deal, announced late last year by US Steel and Nippon Steel, Japan's largest steelmaker, sparked a backlash in the US. Harris' Republican opponent, Donald Trump, earlier said he would block the deal if elected president.

However, Nippon Steel told Reuters that the proposed acquisition would breathe life into the U.S. Rust Belt and provide benefits to local workers and communities while maintaining national security in a way that no other proposal could.

The United Steelworkers union welcomed Harris' comments. Union workers are a major voting bloc in Pennsylvania and other Rust Belt states.

Biden said at Monday's rally that he and Harris would continue to improve the lives of workers. "I promise you, if you vote for Harris for president, it will be the best decision you've ever made."

Trump had no public events on Monday, the U.S. Labor Day holiday, but wished American workers a happy Labor Day on his Social media platform, Truth Social. He also took the opportunity to attack Harris, saying, "Under Comrade Harris's leadership, all Americans are suffering this holiday weekend - high gas prices, higher transportation costs, and skyrocketing food prices." We cannot continue to live under this weak and failed 'leadership.'"

The Harris campaign mocked Trump: "As a candidate who claims to win the support of workers, why is Trump missing on Labor Day?"

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Harris leads Trump with 45 percent support nationally, to 41 percent. Both men are expected to intensify their campaigning in the coming weeks, particularly with visits to swing states that could decide the outcome of the election.