Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

White House Divided: Biden Rejects Steel Acquisition Despite Strong Advisory Support

Daniel Kim Views  

Reuters
Reuters

On Sunday, The Washington Post reported that President Joe Biden ignored several advisors’ objections to blocking Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel.

The decision came after a White House meeting on January 2, convened by Chief of Staff Jeff Zients. During the meeting, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and several other advisors presented a conditional proposal to approve the deal. They argued that by imposing conditions, they could mitigate potential national security risks and effectively defer the issue to the next administration.

More than six advisors conveyed this position, including Sullivan, Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Jared Bernstein, Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Some advisors argued that Nippon Steel’s acquisition proposal would not threaten U.S. national security. Instead, they claimed it would be the best deal for workers and stabilize U.S. Steel, which has been struggling for decades. Some also warned that blocking the deal could lead to lawsuits.

Despite this broad consensus, a smaller group of advisors, including U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Senior Advisor Steve Ricchetti, Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed, Senior Advisor Mike Donilon, and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, strongly opposed the acquisition. They argued that if the acquisition proceeded, the Japanese government might pressure the U.S. to reduce steel production capacity and jobs while maintaining its own. Ultimately, President Biden decided to block the sale of U.S. Steel.

Following Biden’s decision, Nippon Steel suggested it might pursue legal action, claiming the decision was illegal. Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Yoji Muto, criticized the decision as “incomprehensible.”

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[WORLD] Latest Stories

  • Porsche Taycan GTS Breaks Guinness Record with 10.9-Mile Ice Drift
  • Sweden Boosts Surveillance in Baltic Sea: Troops, Warships, and Aircraft to Monitor Threats
  • Africa's MPOX Variant Clade 1b Reaches France: Health Officials Take Action
  • LA Wildfires’ Economic Toll Hits $50 Billion, Doubling Early Estimates
  • Real Reason Trump Wants Greenland and the Panama Canal: Geopolitical Dominance
  • Kremlin Watches Trump's Greenland Acquisition Plans as Tensions Rise

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Trump’s Soda Button and 12-Can Habit: A Recipe for Trouble?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    New FDA-Approved Pill Targets Constant Hunger in Children with PWS

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Too Much Exercise Might Not Help You Live Longer, Says New Study

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Novo Nordisk Just Bought the Next Big Thing in Weight Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Strawberries + Nuts, Salmon & More: The Best Pairings for Your Wellness

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Truth About Narcolepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Manage It

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Avoid These 10 Habits to Keep Your Brain in Top Shape

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT&nbsp

  • 5
    Why Olive Oil is the Ultimate Wellness Food You Shouldn't Overlook

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Trump’s Soda Button and 12-Can Habit: A Recipe for Trouble?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    New FDA-Approved Pill Targets Constant Hunger in Children with PWS

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Too Much Exercise Might Not Help You Live Longer, Says New Study

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Novo Nordisk Just Bought the Next Big Thing in Weight Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Strawberries + Nuts, Salmon & More: The Best Pairings for Your Wellness

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Truth About Narcolepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Manage It

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Avoid These 10 Habits to Keep Your Brain in Top Shape

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Why Olive Oil is the Ultimate Wellness Food You Shouldn't Overlook

    LIFESTYLE