Nippon Steel’s top executives are meeting local officials and workers of US Steel in Pennsylvania this week as the Japanese steelmaker makes a post-election push to build on-the-ground support for a $15bn takeover that has faced bipartisan opposition in Washington.
Nippon vice-chair Takahiro Mori flew from Tokyo to US Steel’s hometown of Pittsburgh on Saturday, and will make his case in person over the coming days that regulators should clear its bid, according to a person familiar with the trip.
The deal faced steep political resistance during the general election, with the transaction centring on an iconic American company in a key swing state. President Joe Biden has said US Steel should remain American owned, while president-elect Donald Trump has said he would block the transaction.