Despite denials by the U.S. government and the vaccine company itself, some media sources are reporting that the Trump Administration attempted to convince German vaccine producer CureVac to move their operations to the U.S. to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine was "only for the United States."

On March 15, Reuters reported that German media claimed President Donald Trump had attempted a takeover of CureVac. Reuters says they were contacted by German government sources who told them the U.S. government was trying to gain access to a potential vaccine. A German newspaper, Welt am Sonntag, also reported that President Trump had offered to pay CureVac "large sums" of money to lure them to the U.S. and that the German government was making counter-offers.

Since the story was first reported, several sources have come forward to deny it. U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell tweeted a response to the article published in Welt am Sonntag.

"Not true. The Welt story was wrong. But Business Insider, Reuters and others went with it anyway despite not having their own sources. Now everyone is back peddling," Grenell tweeted.

Another U.S. official quoted by Reuters said "This story is wildly overplayed ... We will continue to talk to any company that claims to be able to help. And any solution found would be shared with the world."

Welt am Sonntag did not identify the German government source who claimed Trump was trying to gain sole access to the vaccine for Americans. A German Health Ministry spokeswoman told the newspaper, "The German government is very interested in ensuring that vaccines and active substances against the new coronavirus are also developed in Germany and Europe."

"In this regard, the government is in intensive exchange with the company CureVac," she clarified. Statements by this spokesperson are the only quotes that have been confirmed by the German government.

CureVac released a statement, also on March 15, addressing the rumors. Due to their intent to "help and to protect people and patients worldwide," CureVac says they are in contact with authorities across the globe.

"The company is in contact with especially CEPI and many other organizations and authorities worldwide, however abstains from commenting on speculations and rejects allegations about offers for acquisition of the company or its technology," the statement reads.

In a strange twist, CureVac's then CEO Daniel Menichella, a U.S. citizen, met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in the White House on March 2 and left the company on March 11. Menichella was replaced by CureVac's founder, Ingmar Hoerr. This could potentially be a sign of U.S. poaching, but there isn't sufficient proof to say so definitively.

When asked about the meeting between CureVac execs and the White House, the majority shareholder of CureVac, SAP co-founder Dietmar Hopp implied that an offer may have been made for the company during that meeting.

"He (Trump) spoke to the company and I was told about it immediately and was asked what I made of it and I knew immediately this was out of the question," Hopp was quoted by German sports broadcaster Sport1.

In sharp contrast to that suggestive quote by Hopp, a spokesperson for CureVac denied that the Administration had ever made an offer for the company.

"To make it clear again on coronavirus: CureVac has not received from the U.S. government or related entities an offer before, during and since the Task Force meeting in the White House on March 2. CureVac rejects all allegations from press," a spokesperson for CureVac said.

Since the story was first reported, the European Union has held a videoconference call on how to react to potential takeovers by other countries of E.U. research companies though it's unclear if the call established any changes.

"Leaders will discuss what can be done against hostile takeovers by U.S. companies in the research field," a diplomat said.

Referring to the purpose of the conference call, an E.U. official told Reuters, "This is not just about CureVac. Many other companies are concerned... There is very intense contact between companies and member states. We are looking at a way forward together."