US Steel (NYSE:X) dropped 1.7% at least party as Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) CEO Lourenco Goncalves appeared to be less interested in a US Steel (NYSE:X) deal after saying for months that he would be around if the Nippon Steel (OTCPK:NPSCY) deal fell apart.

President-elect Trump has also opposed Nippon Steel's $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, which President Biden blocked last week.

There is no reason—or need—to give up on this deal,” Eiji Hashimoto, chairman and chief executive officer of the Japanese steelmaker, told reporters.

Growth in the massive U.S. services sector picked-up in December, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Meanwhile, job openings hit a six-month high in November, according to the Labor Department.