(NEWSnet/AP) — Former President Donald Trump plans to travel to Michigan next week to meet with striking autoworkers instead of participating in the second Republican presidential debate, a person familiar with his plans said Monday.

The Sept. 27 trip, first reported by The New York Times, is expected to include a primetime speech, according to the person familiar with the plans who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity before they were made public.

That’s the date others in the GOP field will gather in Simi Valley, California, for the cycle’s second primary debate.

On Monday, United Auto Workers and Detroit’s Big Three carmakers resumed talks aimed at ending a strike, entering its fifth day on Tuesday.

Stellantis described the discussion as “constructive.” A spokesperson for General Motors said representatives of the company and United Auto Workers continue to negotiate.

Dave Green, a UAW regional director in Ohio and Indiana, said Trump’s actions during his time as president give him “zero credibility” with organized labor now, adding that he doesn’t see a way UAW would endorse Trump.

“His only intention here is to try and get votes for himself, and also divide our members against each other using political rhetoric,” Green told AP on Monday.

Copyright 2023 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.