Nippon Steel Officially Acquires U.S. Steel in $14.9B Deal
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After 18 months of uncertainty and political pushback, Nippon Steel has finalized its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel — but not without a twist. As part of the national security agreement, the Trump administration now holds what’s known as a “golden share,” giving the U.S. government a rare level of power over a private company.
The deal, closed Wednesday, gives Trump or his designee veto rights over key decisions, including offshoring jobs, shutting down plants, relocating headquarters from Pittsburgh, or even changing the company’s name. The administration will also appoint one independent director to the board.
While Nippon’s chairman praised Trump for facilitating the deal, critics warn this degree of federal oversight sets a precedent that could scare off future foreign investors. Nonetheless, Nippon Steel now gains a major foothold in the U.S. market, with $11 billion in planned investments and increased access to domestic infrastructure projects amid global trade tensions.
