WASHINGTON ¨C A group representing major automakers on Friday urged the White House to oppose any effort by steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs to buy rival U.S. Steel, warning that a deal could result in anti-competitive pricing for vehicles.

¡°A consolidation of the two companies would also place 65 to 90% of steel used in vehicles under the control of a single company,¡± Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella said in a letter.

President Joe Biden said earlier this month that U.S. Steel, which has agreed to be bought by Japan¡¯s Nippon Steel for $14.9 billion, must remain a domestically owned U.S. firm. Cleveland-Cliffs has said it would consider another bid for U.S. Steel if the deal with Nippon Steel falls apart.

¡°If the administration has concerns about the Nippon Steel deal, it must seriously consider alternative outcomes,¡± said the letter from the group, which represents General Motors, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen, Hyundai and others. ¡°One option that should not be on the table is an arrangement that creates a market concentration of domestic steel production in a single company.¡±

The White House, Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel did not immediately comment on the letter.

A combination of U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs would control ¡°100% of the domestic electrical steel (e-steel) needed for electric vehicle (EV) motors and EV production,¡± the automaker group said in its letter.

It warned that a deal could ¡°drive up the cost of both steel and e-steel, and ultimately increase the cost of finished vehicles (including EVs) for American consumers.¡±

The group wrote Congress, the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Justice Department in October to raise its concerns about a tie-up, citing concerns about steel used to produce vehicle structural frames, automotive surface panels like doors, hoods and fenders, and EV motors.