U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers began their first large-scale strike in nearly 50 years on Tuesday, halting the flow of about half the country's ocean shipping, after negotiations for a new labor contract broke down over wages.

The White House says it won’t step in to force dockworkers back on the job, and that impacts to America’s vital goods will be minimal for now.

Biden has said he won't stop the dockworker's strike. But if the strike stretches on for weeks, it could have a major impact on the presidential race.