US Vice President Kamala Harris has said she believes US Steel should remain a domestically owned American company.

The Democratic candidate for the presidential election in November spoke in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday about Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of the American steelmaker.

She said, “US Steel is a historic American company, and it is vital for our nation to maintain strong American steel companies.” She added, “US Steel should remain American owned and American operated.”

Pennsylvania is a battleground state and home to US Steel’s corporate headquarters and production facilities.

Both US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have expressed opposition to the deal.

Harris’ apparent aim is to emphasize her alignment with Biden’s policies on labor unions to garner support from those voters.