PITTSBURGH — The fate of U.S. Steel plants continues to be the talk of the town in the Mon Valley.
Now, U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have filed a lawsuit over the president’s decision to merge them. The Nippon Steel leaders are so serious about making this deal work, they flew here from Japan.
It was a social gathering at the home of the West Mifflin mayor. But after the cake and candles, business was the focus.
“The mill is synonymous for building Clairton and without the mill our town would probably be a boom town,” Clairton mayor Richard Lattanzi said.
That’s how all these mayors sitting around this table feel. Now they are fighting back against Biden’s decision to block the merger between U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel by inviting the leaders of Nippon into their homes.
“They’ve opened their hearts to our community, they’ve offered us a lifeline to save our communities and workers.,” West Mifflin mayor Chris Kelly said.
“These people are so nice. I’m encouraged very much. This time I flew out here because I want to show them I’m not giving up. Don’t stop, I will not stop fighting for a future we share,” VP of Nippon Steel Takahiro Mori said.
Following last week’s decision, U.S. Steel and Nippon are now suing the United States government. The companies are asking for the committee on foreign investment to conduct a new review of the deal.
“This deal is a very good deal for everybody, it’s just so disappointing. I should have a fair due process that’s what I want,” Mori said.
While they wait on the courts, the fight will continue for those on the ground.
“This is a no brainer but we are still here right now talking about what we need to do next. Let’s do the right thing and make this deal happen,” North Braddock mayor Cletus Lee said.
The companies also filed a second suit against the head of the United Steelworkers union and steel company Cleveland Cliffs, claiming the two worked together to block the U.S. Steel and Nippon deal.
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