Nippon Steel's Mori asks USW leadership to 'come to the table' By Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters) – Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori said on Tuesday the Japanese company is still willing to negotiate with the United Steelworkers (USW) union over its bid to acquire US Steel.

Mori, a key negotiator of the $14.9 billion purchase agreement, said USW President David McCall “has not given serious consideration to any of the proposals we have presented” in a letter to US Steel workers.

“We just need USW leadership to come to the table. I hope they do that soon,” Mori wrote.

The USW did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

The deal has faced opposition from top Democrats and Republicans ahead of November's US presidential election, including from Democrat Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump.

Sources told Reuters last week that a US national security panel reviewing the deal had allowed the companies to submit their request for approval, delaying a decision on the politically sensitive merger until after the November 5 presidential election.

In the letter, Mori said Nippon Steel is committed to maintaining the long-term operation of the US Steel furnace and will not use slabs made abroad instead of slabs made at US Steel facilities represented by USW.

The Japanese company will honor all of US Steel's obligations related to union agreements, including labor, pension and insurance, Mori said, adding that his company will not interfere with US Steel's decisions on trade matters.

The companies plan to close the deal by the end of December, pending regulatory approval.