For the large railway merger platform, Trump highly praised The Pacific's acquisition of Norfolk Southern as "very reasonable."

President Trump expressed support for the proposed $72 billion acquisition of competitor Norfolk Southern (NSC.US) by Union Pacific (UNP.US). The deal is currently awaiting regulatory approval. Trump stated in an Oval Office interview with reporters on Friday, "Union Pacific is a great railway company, and the railway company they intend to acquire had a serious accident in an area I am very concerned about." This statement clearly refers to the 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, which resulted in the leakage of toxic chemicals and harm to residents' health. "They are trying to acquire this troubled railway company. Honestly, I think this proposal is very good, very reasonable," he added. Trump also praised the head of Union Pacific, saying he "greatly appreciates the CEO of this railway company." If the merger is approved, it will create a giant railway transportation company spanning the continental United States. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board, the economic regulatory agency for the railway industry, is currently evaluating the deal. The estimated value of the target company in this transaction is around $85 billion in terms of enterprise value. Earlier this month, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena held discussions with Trump and top government officials about the merger case. This move indicates that the company is actively communicating with the highest levels of the U.S. government to push for regulatory approval of the merger. If the transaction ultimately proceeds, by connecting Union Pacific's railway network in the western states of the U.S. with Norfolk Southern's railway lines on the East Coast, the U.S. will have the first continuous transcontinental railway connecting the east and west coasts. Regulations related to railway mergers in the U.S. are stricter than in other industries: railway merger transactions must demonstrate that they serve the public interest and promote market competition. The two companies plan to complete the transaction in early 2027. In August of this year, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutenick signaled positive support for the deal. He stated that if the integration of the railway industry can improve operational efficiency, he will maintain an open attitude towards such mergers.