If anything, approving the deal would make the U.S. stronger. The merged company would form the world’s third-largest steelmaker, better able to take on China’s dominant producers.

Despite a steady stream of meetings and calls with U.S. officials, and three revamped proposals to assuage national security concerns, Nippon Steel has failed to garner approval from a powerful panel reviewing its $14.

With just days left to save the deal of his lifetime, Takahiro Mori has been flying on a borrowed jet between meetings with Washington’s most powerful officials and hastily arranged sit-downs with rustbelt steelworkers.

The Japanese company continues to campaign for support from mayors, governors and especially members of the steelworkers union.