WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister

Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday he hoped discussions on Nippon

Steel's ( NISTF ) planned acquisition of U.S. Steel will

unfold in ways positive for the parties, while U.S. President

Joe Biden said he stands by his commitments both to American

workers and the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The two leaders made the comments at a White House news

conference after summit talks. Kishida's Washington visit comes

amid a controversy over the deal, which some experts say is "on

life support" after criticism by Biden and former President

Donald Trump, his rival in November's U.S. election.