Speaking at a campaign event in Pittsburgh, Harris called U.S. Steel a “historic American company” and said it was vital for the country to “maintain strong American steel companies.”

The Democratic presidential nominee added: “U.S. Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated, and I will always have the backs of America’s steelworkers.”

Speaking before Harris, Biden reiterated his stance on the matter, saying he believes in “American-owned and operated steel companies,” adding that U.S. Steel “an iconic American company for more than a century is going to remain an American company.”

Responding to Harris’ comments, Nippon Steel told various outlets it was confident its acquisition of U.S. Steel would “revitalize the American steel rust belt, benefit American workers, local communities, and national security in a way no other alternative can.”

The Japanese steelmaker added that a “fair and objective regulatory review process will support this outcome” and allow the company to complete the merger “as soon as possible.”