Fact Check: Nippon Steel's acquisition faced a year-and-a-half of national security concerns.

Fact Check: Nippon Steel's Acquisition Faced a Year-and-a-Half of National Security Concerns

What We Know

Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, valued at approximately $14.9 billion, has indeed been surrounded by national security concerns. Reports indicate that the Biden administration warned Nippon Steel that the acquisition posed risks to the American steel industry, suggesting that it could harm domestic production and trade remedy efforts (Reuters). This warning led to significant delays in the acquisition process.

The acquisition was initially blocked by an executive order from President Biden, citing national security issues, which extended the review period significantly. However, the deal was eventually completed under a new executive order issued by President Trump on June 13, 2025, which allowed the acquisition to proceed while addressing the national security concerns raised earlier (New York Times, National Law Review).

Analysis

The claim that Nippon Steel's acquisition faced a year-and-a-half of national security concerns is supported by multiple credible sources. The timeline indicates that the acquisition process was significantly delayed due to the national security review initiated by the Biden administration. Reports confirm that the concerns were serious enough to warrant an executive order blocking the deal, which was later reversed by the subsequent administration (PBS, Spotlight PA).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include established news organizations such as Reuters, The New York Times, and PBS, which are known for their rigorous journalistic standards. However, it is essential to note that the political context surrounding the acquisition may introduce bias, particularly in how different administrations frame national security issues.

Conclusion

Needs Research: While there is substantial evidence supporting the claim that Nippon Steel's acquisition faced significant national security concerns over a period of approximately a year and a half, the complexities of the political landscape and the changing administrations necessitate further research. Understanding the full implications of these national security concerns and how they were addressed in the acquisition process would provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

Sources

1. Exclusive: US warned Nippon its U.S. Steel bid poses a national security risk
2. Nippon Steel Completes Its Acquisition of U.S. Steel
3. Nippon Steel Completes Acquisition of US Steel Under National Security Agreement
4. $15B takeover of US Steel finalized after Nippon secures national security agreement
5. Nippon Steel finalizes $15 billion buyout of U.S. Steel after sealing national security agreement