Kristina Roberts
Former U.S. President Donald Trump visited a U.S. Steel plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to celebrate the planned partnership between U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel. The rally, held on Friday, May 30, 2025, signaled that the long-delayed deal might finally move forward after months of uncertainty. Trump’s appearance in the key political state, which he won in the 2024 election, was seen as a major step toward securing the merger.
The deal, worth $14.9 billion, was first announced in December 2023. Nippon Steel, one of the world’s largest steelmakers, hoped to expand its business in the U.S. as demand for steel was expected to rise due to government infrastructure projects. However, the agreement faced strong opposition from labor unions and political leaders, including President Joe Biden and Trump himself, who initially argued that U.S. Steel should remain under American ownership.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration blocked the deal, citing national security concerns. U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel challenged the decision in court, claiming they were not given a fair review. When Trump returned to office, his administration reopened a 45-day investigation to reassess the merger. Over the past few weeks, Nippon Steel tried to address concerns by promising to invest an additional $14 billion in U.S. Steel’s operations, including $4 billion for a new steel mill.
Last Friday, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, announcing the rally and appearing to support the deal. He wrote, “This will be a planned partnership between United States Steel and Nippon Steel, which will create at least 70,000 jobs and add $14 billion to the U.S. economy.” He invited supporters to join him at the U.S. Steel plant in Pittsburgh, ending his message with, “Congratulations to all!”
However, just two days later, Trump seemed to change his tone slightly. While speaking to reporters, he described the deal as an “investment” where Nippon Steel would have “partial ownership,” but control would remain in American hands. This mixed messaging left some investors unsure whether the merger would ultimately be approved.
The rally took place at 5 p.m. Eastern Time at the U.S. Steel plant in Pittsburgh. The White House referred to Trump’s speech as being about the “U.S. Steel deal,” suggesting that an official decision might be near. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) had recently finished its second review of the merger, giving Trump until the following Thursday to make a final decision. However, experts noted that the deadline could be extended if needed.
Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state in U.S. elections, has been at the center of this debate. Both Trump and Biden had previously used the issue to gain support from steelworkers and voters who worry about foreign companies taking over American industries. Even Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic presidential nominee after Biden stepped aside, had opposed the deal, insisting that U.S. Steel should stay under domestic control.
Despite the political challenges, Nippon Steel remained determined to complete the acquisition. The company argued that the merger would strengthen U.S. Steel’s global competitiveness and bring much-needed investment to American manufacturing. Union leaders, however, continued to express concerns over job security and working conditions, urging the government to reject the deal unless stronger worker protections were included.
As Trump took the stage at the rally, supporters cheered, hoping the deal would bring new jobs and economic growth to Pennsylvania. The former president’s speech was expected to clarify his stance on the merger and possibly hint at the administration’s final decision.
The event marked a critical moment in the 18-month battle over the future of U.S. Steel. If approved, the partnership would be one of the largest foreign investments in American steel history. If blocked, Nippon Steel might have to walk away, leaving U.S. Steel to find another path forward.
For now, all eyes remain on the White House as the deadline approaches. Workers, investors, and politicians wait to see whether this long-discussed deal will finally become reality or face another setback. Whatever the outcome, the decision will have lasting effects on the U.S. steel industry and the workers who depend on it.
