A US government panel reviewing a bid by Japan's Nippon Steel to purchase US Steel has reportedly opted to have President Joe Biden decide whether to allow the deal.

Biden is expected to announce his decision within 15 days of receiving the committee's report. He has repeatedly expressed opposition to the deal.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has been examining the security risks of an acquisition by the Japanese company. The two major steelmakers agreed on the deal in December 2023.

The Washington Post and other media outlets in the US and Europe report that the committee was unable to reach a consensus on the risks involved by Monday's deadline.

They said some committee members pointed out that domestic output could fall if US Steel is purchased.

Other members reportedly said Nippon Steel proposed measures such as appointing US citizens to the majority of US Steel's executive posts. But the committee was apparently divided over whether such moves would be sufficient.