U.S. Steel’s chief, David Burritt, expressed confidence on Tuesday that the sale of the American manufacturer to a Japanese owner would close “on its merits” despite bipartisan backlash.

CEO David Burritt said he's adamant that the company's $14 billion sale to Nippon Steel (OTCPK:NPSCY) will close. " I can't imagine it's not going to go through," Burritt said at an Economic Club event in Detroit on Tuesday.

U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt said on Tuesday he was confident Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for his company would "close on its merits," despite political opposition and concerns raised in a national security review.

A decision on the national security review is potentially pushed out until after November’s presidential vote.

Japan’s largest steel maker, Nippon, is asking to refile its bid to acquire US Steel, a person familiar with the decision told The Hill, a move that will put off a decision on approving the deal until after the president election.

A source told Reuters this week that the US national security panel reviewing Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid.