Allowing the merger to proceed would help both companies, bolster our relationship with an important ally, and strengthen the U.S. economy.

Nippon Steel Corp. and United States Steel Corp. claimed former President Joe Biden unfairly prejudged their $14.1 billion merger and gave the companies no chance for feedback on a “sham” national security review before he blocked the deal.

Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel are asking a court to lift the block of their $14.9 billion merger. The steelmakers filed their opening brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit against former President Joe Biden and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.