TOKYO (Reuters) – Nippon Metal Corp. has employed former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as an adviser on its efforts to accumulate , Kyodo information company reported on Saturday.
“We look forward to working closely with him to make the United States’ economy and security stronger,” Kyodo quoted Nippon Metal as saying in an announcement.
The world’s No. 4 steelmaker additionally credited Pompeo, who served as secretary of state below Donald Trump’s presidency, as being a well-respected determine amongst each Democrats and Republicans, in accordance with the Kyodo report.
The Japanese steelmaker didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Reuters, which was initially reported by Bloomberg.
Though each steelmakers have acquired all regulatory approvals exterior of the US for his or her proposed $14.9 billion merger, they face political opposition and regulatory scrutiny from inside the U.S.
Nippon Metal additionally faces objections from the highly effective United Steelworkers (USW) union over fears of job losses.
Each Republican nominee Trump and President Joe Biden have stated they’d block the deal.