President Biden introduced Friday he would block the sale of U.S. Metal to Japanese-owned Nippon Metal following a yearlong assessment of the potential acquisition.
“We need major U.S. companies representing the major share of US steelmaking capacity to keep leading the fight on behalf of America’s national interests,” Biden mentioned in a press release. “As a committee of national security and trade experts across the executive branch determined, this acquisition would place one of America’s largest steel producers under foreign control and create risk for our national security and our critical supply chains.”
“So, that is why I am taking action to block this deal,” Biden mentioned.
Nippon Metal beforehand indicated it may take authorized motion if the deal was blocked. U.S. Metal had additionally mentioned it hoped Biden would approve the transaction.
Nippon Metal first introduced in December 2023 that it deliberate to buy U.S. Metal for roughly $15 billion. The deliberate transaction raised alarms amongst Pennsylvania lawmakers and steelworkers about what it may imply for outsourcing jobs, for union employees and for U.S. provide chains.
The president final March referred to as it “vital” for U.S. Metal to stay domestically owned and operated.
The Committee on International Funding in the US, which critiques sure transactions involving international investments, spent roughly a yr inspecting the potential deal. Whereas Biden publicly opposed it, the White Home didn’t make an official announcement on whether or not he would block the transaction or permit it to proceed amid difficult election-year politics as he, and later Vice President Harris, courted union voters and sought to venture power on financial points.
“As I have said many times, steel production—and the steel workers who produce it—are the backbone of our nation,” Biden mentioned Friday. “A powerful domestically owned and operated metal trade represents an important nationwide safety precedence and is essential for resilient provide chains.
“That is because steel powers our country: our infrastructure, our auto industry, and our defense industrial base,” he added. “Without domestic steel production and domestic steel workers, our nation is less strong and less secure.”
President-elect Trump had additionally mentioned he would block Nippon Metal’s efforts to purchase U.S. Metal.
United Steelworkers Worldwide President David McCall mentioned in a press release on Friday that the union “welcomes President Biden’s decision to block the U.S. Steel-Nippon deal.”
“We have no doubt that it’s the right move for our members and our national security,” McCall mentioned.
“Throughout the past year, as the proposed transaction was under review, our union’s first and only concern has been the long-term viability of our facilities as we look to ensure a strong domestic steel industry well into the future.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) mentioned in a press release on Friday the matter is “far from over,” and {that a} “long-term solution” is required to make sure the soundness of the metal trade within the commonwealth.
Up to date at 11:33 a.m. EST
