Several media outlets in the United States claim that President Joe Biden has decided to officially prevent the Japanese group Nippon Steel from purchasing the US Steel company.
The Washington Post and other media outlets reported Thursday that a White House announcement was expected as early as Friday.
Nippon Steel declined to comment on this information.
The two steelmakers concluded the acquisition agreement in December 2023.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States then began reviewing the project due to national security risks, but did not reach consensus before the Dec. 23 deadline. She deferred the decision to President Biden.
In its final assessment, the commission warned that Nippon Steel could reduce its production in the United States. Mr Biden reportedly felt this would pose a national security risk.
Nippon Steel argued that its plan to protect jobs and maintain production capacity would help strengthen US national security.
Nippon Steel Chairman Imai Tadashi told reporters on December 25 that the company had promised a series of measures to address these concerns.
He also said he felt support for the buyout agreement was becoming significantly widespread in the communities where the affected steel plants are located.
