Japan’s Nippon Steel is set to close its acquisition of U.S. Steel for $55 per share, following approval from President Donald Trump, who referred to the deal as a “partnership.” The agreement, which was originally blocked earlier this year, marks a significant shift in the steel industry, with Nippon investing $14 billion over the next 14 months. Trump emphasized that U.S. Steel’s headquarters will remain in Pittsburgh, and the deal will secure U.S. control despite the foreign investment.
Approval After Initial Block and New Review
The bid was previously blocked by President Joe Biden on national security grounds, with concerns about jeopardizing critical supply chains. However, in April, Trump ordered a new review of the acquisition. The U.S. Steelworkers union, led by President David McCall, voiced concerns about the impact of the deal, particularly regarding domestic steelmaking capacity and union jobs. Despite these concerns, Trump expressed confidence that the deal would benefit the U.S. economy by securing jobs and maintaining domestic control of production.
U.S. Control and Investment in Steel Operations
Trump assured that the deal would not undermine U.S. interests, stating that while Nippon Steel would gain partial ownership, U.S. control would remain in place. Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick confirmed that U.S. Steel would have an American CEO, and a majority of the board members would be from the U.S. The deal also includes a “golden share” provision, ensuring U.S. government approval of key board members and guaranteeing that production levels will not be reduced.
Investment in U.S. Steel Operations and Job Preservation
The $14 billion investment will include $2.4 billion allocated to U.S. Steel’s operations at Mon Valley, outside Pittsburgh. This infusion of capital is expected to preserve 10,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and create an additional 10,000 jobs in construction to build a new arc furnace. McCormick highlighted that the deal would help maintain and expand U.S. steel production capacity, benefiting both workers and the local economy.
Nippon’s Strategy and U.S. Market Access
While the acquisition will bring Nippon Steel into the U.S. market, McCormick pointed out that the Japanese steelmaker will also gain significant influence within the corporate structure of U.S. Steel. The acquisition allows Nippon to access the U.S. market and capitalize on the economic benefits of increased U.S. production. Trump’s rally at U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh on May 30 will further underscore the administration’s support for the deal.