Japan's Nippon Steel said on Thursday it has extended the closing period for its $15 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, expressing confidence that the acquisition will protect and grow the American company.

A committee of top government agency officials has notified President Joe Biden that it has not reached a consensus on whether a sale of US Steel to a Japanese rival poses a national security risk, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Japanese steel producer says it remains confident the acquisition “will protect and grow United States Steel.”