Nippon Steel's U.S. Operations

(Reuters) – Nippon Steel will not import steel to the U.S. from its international mills, as stated by Executive Vice President Takahiro Mori in a letter to United Steelworkers union members.

Nippon aims to close its $14.9 billion deal for U.S. Steel by year-end, before President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to block the deal, assumes office in January.

To address challenges posed by the union and President Joe Biden, Nippon has committed to investments in U.S. Steel and ensuring job security for the United Steelworkers union. They have also pledged to divest a stake in a U.S. steel plant joint venture if the buyout is successful.

Mori's letter reiterated past promises and addressed concerns raised by union leaders, including USW President David McCall. "We are here to inform you, not to negotiate as President McCall has suggested. I have asked President McCall to meet, most recently on November 11. I await his response," Mori mentioned.

In September, an arbitration board jointly selected by the company and the USW ruled in favor of the deal; however, the union disagreed with the outcome.

Mori will visit the U.S. next week to engage with steelworkers in Pittsburgh and will also travel to New York and Washington.

As the company works to finalize the deal, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has extended its review until the end of December.