In a joint statement, Nippon and U.S. Steel called Biden’s decision “a clear violation of due process and the law’’ and suggested they would sue to salvage their deal: “We are left with no choice but to take all appropriate action to protect our legal rights.’’

The decision was left with Biden after a U.S. government panel failed to reach a consensus in late December on whether U.S. Steel's acquisition by Nippon Steel threatened

President Biden went against top national-security aides when deciding to tank a Japanese takeover of U.S. Steel and instead align with domestic advisers, bolstering his pro-union legacy.