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"We
look forward to working alongside him to further emphasize the
ways in which Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel bolsters
the country's economic and national security," Nippon Steel said
in a statement to Reuters.
Japan's Kyodo news agency and Bloomberg, which first reported
the appointment, said Pompeo had been hired as an adviser.
Nippon Steel said in its statement that Pompeo had not been
given a specific job title within the company.
The world's No. 4 steelmaker added that Pompeo, who served as
secretary of state during Donald Trump's presidency, was a
well-respected figure among both Democrats and Republicans.
The steelmaker issued its statement during the U.S. night.
Although both steelmakers have received all regulatory approvals
outside of the United States for their proposed $14.9 billion
merger, they face political opposition and regulatory scrutiny
from within the United States.
Nippon Steel also faces objections from the powerful United
Steelworkers (USW) union, which fears the deal could lead to job
losses. The Japanese company has pledged to honour agreements
between U.S. Steel and USW, while offering some other
commitments as well.
Both Republican nominee Trump and President Joe Biden have said
they would block the deal.
Nippon Steel's key negotiator on the deal, Vice Chairman
Takahiro Mori, visited the United States this month, including
U.S. Steel facilities, and met stakeholders and employees, the
company said earlier this week.
(Reporting by Sakura Murakami and Jekaterina Golubkova;Editing
by Sam Holmes and Helen Popper)
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