TOKYO — U.S. opponents of a Japanese steelmaker’s $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel cite concerns about national security and a reluctance to relinquish a storied American company. That could complicate efforts to strengthen ties with Japan, a key U.S. ally, in an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific and around the world. Washington has also been pushing Tokyo to align itself with U.S. export controls that limit China’s ability to produce advanced semiconductors. The opposition to the deal “also places Japan in the unenviable company of China in terms of Washington’s politicization of economic issues,” Kingston said in an email. Other U.S. Steel employees have rallied in support of the deal, which was announced last December.

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Persons: Joe Biden, Jeff Kingston, “, ” Kingston, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris Organizations: U.S, Steel, Nippon Steel, NBC, Temple University Japan, Rust Belt, Biden, U.S . Steel, The United Steelworkers Locations: TOKYO, U.S, American, Japan, Asia, Pacific, Washington, Tokyo, China, Pennsylvania