Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free
Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world
Nippon Steel and US Steel have filed two lawsuits in the US after the proposed combination between the companies was blocked by President Joe Biden.
In a statement on Monday, the companies said that the first suit asks for Biden’s decision to be set aside because of “unlawful political interference” in the process.
The second suit was filed against United Steelworkers union president David McCall and Lourenco Goncalves, chief executive of steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs, alleging “illegal and co-ordinated actions aimed at preventing the transaction”.
“Today’s legal actions demonstrate Nippon Steel’s and US Steel’s continued commitment to completing the transaction,” the companies said in the statement.
In an order issued on Friday blocking the deal, Biden said there was “credible evidence” that through the acquisition Nippon might take steps that would hurt US security.
Cleveland-Cliffs, a rival US steelmaker, offered to buy US Steel in 2023.
Cleveland-Cliffs and USW did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This is a developing story
