By David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, Trevor Hunnicutt and Tim Kelly TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The foreign ministers of Japan and the United States said their countries' ties were stronger than ever on Tuesday,

The president said he was moving to protect national security in deciding the fate of the iconic Pennsylvania-based company, which became a contentious political issue in an election year.

U.S. Steel and its would-be Japanese suitor filed twin lawsuits Monday to defend their $15 billion merger. President Biden issued an order on Friday to block the deal, citing national security concerns.

President Joe Biden on Friday announced he has blocked the controversial $14.9 billion sale of US Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel, citing a strategic need to protect domestic industry.There was rare bipartisan agreement on the issue,

President Joe Biden said Friday he would block the nearly $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel of Japan, citing national security concerns.

President Joe Biden on Friday announced a decision to block the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan-based Nippon Steel, saying domestically produced steel is essential to U.S. national security.

The companies condemned the president's decision and hinted at taking legal action, while U.S. Steel's CEO accused Biden of "political corruption."

President Joe Biden has officially blocked the $14.9 billion takeover of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel. Biden said the proposed deal would place one of the largest steel producers in the U.S. under foreign control, creating a risk for the nation's critical supply chains.