Nippon Steel's bid to acquire Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel has encountered legal challenges following lawsuits filed by U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel earlier this week. The president of the United Steelworkers union reiterated the union's opposition to the acquisition, emphasizing concerns over the deal's implications for the industry. Despite these hurdles, reports indicate that Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel have received authorization from Washington to formally conclude their merger project by June. Meanwhile, other U.S. steelmakers are reportedly considering alternative acquisition plans that may offer lower bids than Nippon Steel. The situation has raised questions about the impact of the deal on competition within the steel industry, as the number of major U.S. steelmakers could decline from four to three, potentially consolidating control over U.S. blast furnaces.