Nippon Steel Corp. (5401.T) has hired former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as an adviser on its efforts to acquire US Steel, Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday.
"We look forward to working closely with him to make the United States' economy and security stronger," Kyodo quoted Nippon Steel as saying in a statement.
The world's No. 4 steelmaker also credited Pompeo, who served as secretary of state under Donald Trump's presidency, as being a well-respected figure among both Democrats and Republicans, according to the Kyodo report.
The Japanese steelmaker did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters, which was initially reported by Bloomberg.
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 U.S.
Nippon Steel also faces objections from the powerful United Steelworkers (USW) union over fears of job losses.
Both Republican nominee Trump and President Joe Biden have said they would block the deal.
