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Nippon Steel rebuts CFIUS's case versus its quote for United States Steel-letter

Nippon Steel defended its $14.9 billion quote for U.S. Steel, arguing it would strengthen the U.S. Steel market which politics are encouraging the U.S. opposition to the deal, according to a. strongly worded letter first reported .

Here is a summary of some of the key arguments Nippon Steel. makes to rebut the nationwide security dangers that were laid out by. the Committee on Foreign Financial Investment in the United States. ( CFIUS), as first reported .

CFIUS on Japan as ally

In its letter to the companies, CFIUS describes Japan as a. vital ally of the United States, including that the committee. considered the significance of our alliance to both nations'. nationwide security.

Reaction by Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel

In their action, the steel business explain the. declaration as essentially paid lip service. The committee does. not seriously engage with that fact or discuss how it affects. their analysis of the dangers, the business said, including that. CFIUS does not take into account a U.S.-Japan contract which. clearly acknowledges that Japanese steel does not present danger. to the U.S. market.

The business also assert that CFIUS has never ever obstructed an. acquisition by a Japanese company in the past.

CFIUS on India

CFIUS implies that Nippon Steel may choose to move U.S. production to India, by mentioning its presence and reported. growth there and fairly lower production costs.

India is among the largest production markets for Nippon. Steel beyond China, CFIUS said, mentioning public reports. suggesting Nippon Steel plans to double its production capability. in India by 2030.

A review of the general expense of steel production in. centers in the United States and India shows that expenses in. the United States are significantly greater than that in India,. it added.

Response by Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel

The business counter that Nippon Steel's growth into. India will not threaten its in-roads into the U.S. India is a. growth market for Nippon Steel, however that development will not come at. the expenditure of Nippon Steel's commitment to the U.S. market,. they stated.

Simply put, Nippon Steel plans to purchase the United. States and grow U.S. Steel to serve the U.S. market; Nippon. Steel is purchasing India to develop India-produced steel to. serve the Indian market, consistent with India's comparable focus. on the advancement of its domestic steel industry, they. stated.

CFIUS on Tariffs

CFIUS declared that Nippon Steel makes minimal usage of trade. treatments, or procedures aimed at imposing tariffs on foreign. competitors, and has at times opposed efforts to put up protective. U.S. tariffs on steel imports. The committee said this indicates. that its potential takeover of U.S. Steel may endanger its. future bids for tariff relief, in spite of the American company's. history of aggressively seeking tariffs.

While U.S. Steel frequently petitions for (trade) relief,. Nippon Steel features plainly as a foreign participant. withstanding trade relief for the U.S. domestic steel market,. CFIUS said.

Reaction by Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel

It is simply not true that Nippon Steel has made 'restricted. use of trade remedies,' the business counter, emphasizing that. Nippon Steel has actually taken part in both of the two active trade. measure procedures in Japan.

Nippon Steel has actually also just recently required the Japanese. federal government to follow the U.S. lead and enforce an anti-dumping. tariff on Chinese steel exports to secure Japanese domestic. market, the steel firms argue.

However to fortify any doubts, Nippon Steel proposes in the. letter to preserve an internal trade committee to ensure that. choices to pursue trade cases are made without interference by. Nippon Steel.

(source: Reuters)