US decision on Nippon’s bid for US Steel pushed back until after election

By Jeff Mason

(Reuters) -The U.S. national security panel reviewing Nippon Steel’s bid for U.S. Steel will let the companies refile their application for approval of the deal, a person familiar with the matter said, delaying a decision on the deal until after the presidential election.

The move offers a ray of hope for the companies, whose deal appeared set to be blocked when the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) alleged on Aug. 31 the transaction posed a risk to national security by threatening the steel supply chain for critical U.S. industries.

CFIUS needs more time to understand the impact of national security and engage with the parties, the person said. Refiling sets a new 90-day clock to review the proposed tie-up and make a decision.

The expected demise of the deal in late August prompted an outpouring of support, including a letter from business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, raising concerns the transaction was being influenced by political pressure.

Earlier in September, Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said at a rally in Pennsylvania, the swing state where U.S. Steel is headquartered, that she wants U.S. Steel to remain “American owned and operated.”

Her Republican rival Donald Trump has pledged to block the deal if elected.

Nippon Steel declined to comment. CFIUS and U.S. Steel did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.