A group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Friday vowed to proceed with legislation to block Dubai Ports World’s purchase of US port terminals, brushing aside an offer from the company to delay taking operational control until Congress had reviewed the deal.

The suggested compromise would have seen DP World purchase UK port operator P&O next week, as planned, but not take control or manage its five terminals along the US east coast pending the outcome of discussions on Capitol Hill. Legislators said the plan was little more than a public relations manoeuvre.