Japan’s $15B American Steel Dream Just Got Crushed
President Biden announced Friday his decision to block Nippon Steel's $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, concluding a year of deliberations that intersected with election-year dynamics. The decision followed a Treasury Department security review that reached no consensus and escalated the matter to presidential determination in December. The President emphasized national security concerns, stating that domestic steel production and workers are vital for American strength and security. U.S. Steel, established in 1901, has faced a significant decline from its World War II peak of 340,000 workers to approximately 11,000 today. The company's stock value has remained relatively stagnant since the 1990s, challenged by cheaper Asian steel production. Following Biden's announcement, the company's stock dropped 8% in pre-market trading. U.S. Steel defended the proposed deal, arguing it would strengthen national security through manufacturing investment and help counter Chinese competition. The company […]