(Reuters) – White Home officers have signaled a delay in taking a choice concerning the takeover of U.S. Metal by Japan’s Nippon Metal, the Washington Put up reported on Friday.

The Committee on Overseas Funding in the US, Nippon and U.S. Metal all declined to remark. The White Home didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.

Nippon Metal and U.S. Metal had despatched a letter on Sunday to President Biden concerning the merger after media stories that he was getting ready to dam the deal, a spokesperson for the Japanese steelmaker advised Reuters.

Biden stays against the deal even when no announcement associated to blocking the deal was scheduled however the tempo of inside deliberations has slowed, based on the report which cited individuals with data of the matter.

Japan’s largest steelmaker is pursuing a money deal to purchase the 123-year-old U.S. Metal, regardless of resistance from Biden, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and the United Metal Employees union. A U.S. nationwide safety assessment is being performed.