TOKYO -- Nippon Steel aims to gain the United Steelworkers (USW) union's support by the end of April for its planned purchase of U.S. Steel, a senior executive said, as the company races to complete the deal before the U.S. presidential election later this year.
The Japanese steelmaker's acquisition plan has taken on political overtones since former U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to block the deal should he return to the White House. Nippon Steel aims to complete the purchase as early as possible by launching talks with USW in earnest to win its understanding, said Nippon Steel Executive Vice President Takahiro Mori, who is in charge of overseas business.