Major Japanese Steel producer Nippon Steel defended its planned acquisition of U.S. Steel in a statement on December 3 in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s opposition.  

The company said it believes that this acquisition will support and grow U.S. Steel, while strengthening the US steel industry, domestic supply chains, and national security.  

Nippon Steel plans to invest over 2.7 billion dollars in sites covered by the basic labor agreement, pledging to protect the jobs of U.S. Steel’s American employees.  

The acquisition will see Nippon Steel become the world’s second largest steel producer and will bring its world-class technologies to deliver cutting-edge steel products to US consumers.