President Trump endorsed a plan that would link the U.S. and Japanese steel makers that had been blocked on national security grounds.

"I am proud to announce that, after much consideration and negotiation, US Steel will REMAIN in America," President Trump wrote Friday afternoon.

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to give his approval to Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel on Friday, saying the "planned partnership" between the two would create jobs and help the American economy.