US President Donald Trump appears set to approve what he calls “a planned partnership” between US Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel. He said the deal would create at least 70,000 jobs, and add 14 billion dollars to the US economy.
Trump wrote in a social media post on Friday, “I am proud to announce that, after much consideration and negotiation, US Steel will REMAIN in America, and keep its Headquarters in the Great City of Pittsburgh.”
He described the planned partnership as the “largest investment in the History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” He added that his tariff policies “will ensure that Steel will once again be, forever, MADE IN AMERICA.”
The Japanese steelmaker’s plan to acquire US Steel was blocked in January by then-President Joe Biden on national security grounds.
Last month, Trump instructed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, to run a fresh review to identify any security risks. The panel had submitted its recommendation to Trump by Wednesday.
Following Trump’s post, the US website Politico reported that Trump on Friday said he “had approved a deal for Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel.” The Washington Post said Trump “appeared to approve a long-pending deal” between the two steelmakers.
Trump had earlier welcomed more investment by Nippon Steel, but expressed reservations about the Japanese company’s plan to make US Steel a subsidiary.
Despite the latest post, it remains unclear whether the president will approve the buyout plan as an official announcement has yet to be made.
Nippon Steel issued a comment after Trump’s post, acknowledging his decision to approve the partnership between Nippon Steel and US Steel.
The firm said its proposal is in line with the Trump administration’s commitment to protect American workers, the US steel industry and national security.
It added that the partnership between the two will be a major turning point for US Steel and all the stakeholders, as well as the US steel and manufacturing industries as a whole.