The New Year's Eve festivities had barely subsided when US President Joe Biden pre-empted his successor's wishes by hammering the final nail into the coffin of free trade, of which his country had been the most ardent promoter. On Friday, January 3, he confirmed his opposition to the takeover of steelmaker US Steel by its Japanese competitor Nippon Steel.

The potential acquirer had spared no effort. First, it outbid the various competing offers. Its latest proposal, for over 14 billion dollars (€13.5 billion), was twice as high as US competitor, Cleveland-Cliffs. Its promise to invest in and maintain its headquarters had won over the company's management.

Vice President Takahiro Mori held a series of meetings and promises with unions, local and national elected representatives, from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania headquarters to the White House. He was even seen twirling the yellow "terrible towel" above his head, an emblem of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the American football team supported by the firm during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on December 1, 2024.

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