Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Tsunami waves reach Hawaii, calls for emergency measures to protect lives and property.
NHK: Japan records 1.3-meter tsunami.
Russian mayor of northern Kuril Islands says 'everyone' on tsunami-hit islands evacuated.
Israeli media: Take-offs and landings halted at Ben Gurion Airport.
Israeli media: Air raid sirens sound in the central region after a missile was identified from Yemen.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 3 families were wiped out from the civil registry due to the occupation's massacre in Nuseirat
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 women and 12 children were killed in the Israeli occupation's massacre in the new camp in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip
10-year-old Palestinian child Nour Abu Sala'a was killed by malnutrition due to the Israeli occupation's siege on the Gaza Strip
Trump says a ceasefire in Gaza is 'possible'
European Union commissioners will discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israeli participation in the EU's Horizon research program: Reuters

Nippon Steel finalizes $14.9bln US Steel deal with Trump veto

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 19 Jun 2025 10:12
3 Min Read

Nippon Steel acquires US Steel for $14.9B with a golden share granting Trump veto power over key decisions under a national security agreement.

Listen
  • x
  • A staff enters doorway next to Nippon Steel logo at the company's Kashima Plant in Kashima, Japan on December 6, 2024 (AP/Ayaka McGill)
    Staff enter the doorway next to the Nippon Steel logo at the company's Kashima Plant in Kashima, Japan on December 6, 2024. (AP/Ayaka McGill)

Nippon Steel has finalized its $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel, marking the close of a protracted 18-month effort to take over the storied American steelmaker.

The Japanese corporation confirmed on Wednesday that it had acquired 100% of US Steel shares at $55 apiece, as initially proposed in December 2023.

The transaction includes a rare national security agreement with the Trump administration, which grants Donald Trump significant influence over the future direction of US Steel through a special governance arrangement known as a golden share.

Eiji Hashimoto, Chairman and CEO of Nippon Steel, thanked Trump for facilitating the deal, stating, “Nippon Steel is excited about opening a new chapter of US Steel’s storied history.”

The golden share, a key element of the agreement, provides the US government with far-reaching veto authority over corporate decisions. This includes the ability to block plant closures, reductions in production capacity, overseas job transfers, and even changes to the company’s name or headquarters location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previewed these terms on social media over the weekend, emphasizing their significance.

The golden share was required to obtain clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), which reviewed the merger for national security implications.

This level of government oversight is uncommon and has raised concerns among national security lawyers, who warned it might deter future foreign investment in US companies.

Political resistance and national security challenges

Related News

Europe slams Trump trade deal as humiliating concession

Civicus adds US to watchlist over declining civic freedoms

Despite initial optimism, Nippon Steel's US Steel acquisition faced considerable opposition.

Both Donald Trump and then-President Joe Biden opposed the deal during their respective election campaigns, largely due to pressure from the United Steelworkers union and concerns over American jobs in swing-state Pennsylvania.

In January, Biden blocked the acquisition on national security grounds, prompting legal action by both companies. They accused the Biden administration of bias in its national security review, an allegation the White House denied.

Following Biden’s departure, the Trump administration reopened the CFIUS process with a new 45-day review, ultimately granting approval through an executive order.

The deal was finalized after both firms agreed to the national security agreement, which included the golden share provisions.

Strategic goals and investment outlook for US Steel

As part of the agreement, Nippon Steel pledged $11 billion in investment into US Steel through 2028. This includes $1 billion for the construction of a new mill in the US, with future spending projected to reach $3 billion.

The move helps Nippon Steel align with its global strategic goal of reaching 100 million tons in crude steel production capacity, with current annual output expected to grow to 86 million tons.

The acquisition also enables Nippon Steel to benefit from large-scale US infrastructure projects, a competitive edge enhanced by the 50% tariffs imposed on other foreign steel producers.

By securing regulatory approval, the firm also avoided a $565 million breakup fee that would have applied had the deal collapsed.

Experts warn that the golden share arrangement, designed to address national security concerns, may establish a precedent that discourages future foreign acquisitions of US firms.

While the Nippon Steel US Steel acquisition was ultimately approved, the political maneuvering and nationalistic scrutiny it triggered could shape how overseas investors approach the US market moving forward.

  • United States
  • National Security Agreement
  • Nippon Steel
  • US Steel Deal
  • US
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Given ample indications Epstein was collating sexual blackmail material on powerful figures for intelligence agencies, comments made by Mirage's cofounder to Ynet take on a chilling character. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Zionist spies innovate AI sexual blackmail tech

  • Analysis
  • 27 Jul 2025
The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

  • Opinion
  • 23 Jul 2025
Houthi supporters display a giant Palestinian flag during a weekly anti-US and anti-'Israel' rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)

Open borders so Yemenis march by hundreds of thousands: Al-Houthi

  • Politics
  • 24 Jul 2025
Lebanese Freedom Fighter Georges Abdallah, who was serving a life in Paris, speaks to supporters upon his arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 25, 2025 (AP)

With resistance, road home is never lost: Georges Abdallah from Beirut

  • Politics
  • 25 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Tensions erupt between Smotrich and army chief over Gaza strategy

The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, giving a statement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport in defense of Gaza

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' summons Dutch ambassador over Amsterdam's ban on ministers

Palestinians collect aid that landed in the Mediterranean Sea after being airdropped over central Gaza, at the shore of Zawaida, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli plans to annex Gaza illegal under international law: Norway

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS