Nippon-US Steel Deal Merits ‘Serious Scrutiny,’ Brainard Says

  • Top Biden economic aide cites national security considerations
  • CFIUS review is in early stages and may extend into 2025

The United States Steel Corp. Edgar Thomson Works steel mill in Braddock, Pennsylvania.

Photographer: Justin Merriman/Bloomberg
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President Joe Biden’s top economic aide said the national security implications of a Japanese company’s bid to purchase United States Steel Corp. deserve a close look from US officials.

“Steel is an industry that has very important national security considerations” as well as supply-chain concerns, Lael Brainard, who leads the National Economic Council, said Monday at a Brookings Institution event, referring to Nippon Steel Corp.’s proposed $14.1 billion deal. “So the particular transaction does merit serious scrutiny under our laws.”