U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to block Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel has cast a shadow over Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Japan, raising concerns about U.S.-Japan ties.
Announced Friday, the decision comes as the U.S. seeks stronger alliances with Japan and South Korea to counter China's military expansion.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the move "perplexing," and analysts warn it may deter foreign investment, though its impact on broader U.S.-Japan relations is expected to be limited due to shared security concerns. Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel have filed a lawsuit against Biden, claiming the merger was blocked under a "sham" national security review.
Blinken, joined by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, met Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and emphasized the enduring strength of U.S.-Japan ties. The visit aims to build on trilateral cooperation with South Korea, despite political challenges in Seoul.
While Japan sees the merger's rejection as a setback, experts note Japan is unlikely to let it damage its strategic partnership with the U.S. However, business lobbies on both sides argue the decision could harm efforts to create secure supply chains, potentially benefiting China.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s farewell visit to Japan faced tension following President Joe Biden’s decision to block Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel, sparking concerns about its impact on U.S.-Japan relations.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit South Korea, Japan, and France from January 4-9 to address regional security, Indo-Pacific cooperation, and global challenges.
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Snowfall and fog cause flight delays at Almaty Airport, affecting departures and arrivals on January 8. Weather warnings issued nationwide.
Ahead of President Nicolás Maduro's expected inauguration later this week, two U.S. citizens were among a group of seven individuals arrested in Venezuela on January 7. Maduro has branded the detainees as "mercenaries," adding to the tension surrounding his third-term.
Samsung Electronics, the global leader in memory chips, smartphones, and televisions, has released its fourth-quarter operating profit estimate, revealing a significant shortfall compared to analyst expectations. The South Korean tech giant reported an estimated operating profit of 6.5 trillion won.
President-elect Donald Trump has sparked international controversy by refusing to rule out military or economic measures to secure control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, which he claims are crucial to U.S. national security.
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