Harris joins Trump and Biden in opposing US Steel merger

On Labor Day, Vice President Harris publicly opposed the proposed $14.9 billion merger between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel during a rally in Pittsburgh, aligning her stance with President Biden and former President Trump. Harris emphasized the importance of U.S. Steel as a historic American company, advocating for it to remain American-owned and operated. This bipartisan opposition highlights the significance of Pennsylvania's steel industry in the upcoming presidential election, as both Democratic and Republican candidates share concerns about the merger's implications. The merger has faced criticism from the United Steelworkers union, which questions Nippon Steel's commitment to maintaining jobs and operations at existing mills. Despite Nippon Steel's assurances of upholding union contracts and investing $2.7 billion in revitalizing U.S. Steel plants, union representatives remain skeptical. U.S. Steel, however, argues that the merger would strengthen the company and enhance the competitiveness of the American steel industry on a global scale. The Biden administration is currently reviewing the merger, with the Justice Department examining antitrust issues and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) assessing national security concerns. Although Nippon Steel is a private entity and not state-owned, the potential for security implications remains a point of contention, especially given the U.S. and Japan's alliance. As the merger's expected closing date has been pushed back to December, the ongoing reviews will determine its fate. The outcome could significantly impact the steel industry and the livelihoods of thousands of workers in Pennsylvania, making it a critical issue in the political landscape leading up to the election.