The president has 15 days to decide whether to approve or reject the nearly $15 billion sale of the iconic steel company to Japan's Nippon Steel.

Nippon Steel's $15 billion bid for U.S. Steel has been referred to U.S. President Joe Biden, a White House spokesman said, giving the president 15 days to decide on a tie up he has previously said he opposes.

A high-level government review board has told the White House it is unable to reach a consensus on the national security risks involved in Nippon Steel’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel, likely setting the stage for President Joe Biden to kill the deal.