Japan's Nippon Steel said on Thursday it has extended the closing date for its $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel as U.S. President Joe Biden weighs whether to block a deal that has faced intense opposition since it was announced.

Nippon Steel on Thursday delayed the closing date for its proposed $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, as it waits to learn if President Biden will block the deal on national security grounds. Why it matters: The Japanese steelmaker is trying to play nice with the White House,

Nippon Steel has extended the closing date for its $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel (X), as Japan’s biggest steel firm faces opposition from both the current and next president of the U.S.