Sources say a top Nippon Steel executive met with US government officials in Washington on Wednesday, as a last-ditch effort to save the US Steel acquisition deal.
Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Mori Takahiro aims to convince the officials that the takeover will entail no national security risks and will strengthen the foundation of the US steel industry.
The Japanese steelmaker said the two companies had agreed to the deal in December last year.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has since been examining the proposed takeover.
The body reviews mergers and acquisitions of US businesses by foreign firms to assess potential impacts on US national security.
President Joe Biden’s administration opposes the takeover, and media reports say the president is set to block the multibillion dollar deal.
Some experts believe the outcome could complicate efforts to strengthen economic security with key ally Japan, and will only help China, which accounts for about half of the world’s steel output.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as former president Donald Trump, have all voiced opposition to the buyout.
US Steel is based in Pennsylvania, a crucial state in the November presidential election.