The German government has accused the United States of seeking to seize a new vaccine project against the Corona virus (Covid 19) developed by a German laboratory, warning that it will do everything in its power for the project to succeed in Europe.
"The German researchers play an essential role in developing drugs and vaccines, and we cannot allow others to seek exclusive possession of their results," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in an interview published by the local media group "Funke" on Monday.
On Sunday evening, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer confirmed the authenticity of information published by the German newspaper "Die Welt" the same day about an attempt by US President Donald Trump to put his hand on the German laboratory by offering him a huge sum of money.
He said during a press conference: "All I can say is that I heard repeatedly today from members of the government that this is true."
He said that the issue will be discussed, on Monday, within the government "crisis committee" charged with overseeing the fight against the spread of the emerging Corona virus, which has so far caused in Germany five thousand infections and 12 deaths.
The strength test between the United States and Germany revolves around the Cure Fak laboratory in Tübingen, in the southwest.
CureFac is one of the laboratories in the world developing a vaccine against the Corona virus (Covid 19) benefiting from German government aid.
The company asserts that only "a few months" separate it from a vaccine project offer for clinical approval.
The German newspaper wrote that Trump is seeking to attract German scientists working on the vaccine project by offering millions of dollars to them or to obtain the vaccine exclusivity by investing in the company.
A source close to the German government told the newspaper that in this case the vaccine would be "for the United States alone".
A US government representative, responding to Agence France-Presse questions, said on Sunday that this issue "is a lot of exaggeration."
He said, asking not to be named, that Washington has spoken with more than 25 drug laboratories and stressed that "any solution that might be reached will be shared with the rest of the world."
In reality, however, the Chairman of the German company received a personal invitation from the American President to visit the White House on March 3 to discuss "developing a vaccine against the newly emerging corona."
And surprisingly, Cure Vac announced a week after the sudden departure of its Chairman without giving any reasons for that.
German Economy Minister Peter Altmire praised the decision, which he described as "excellent" by the "CureFac" company, by rejecting Washington's offers.
His office said: "It is very important that we can produce vaccines in Germany and Europe," warning that the minister can oppose any investment project in national institutions that are strategic.
The ministry declared that "the government can closely scrutinize the operations of foreign countries' acquisition of German companies, especially if the matter affects the security interests of Germany and Europe."
German Liberal Democratic Party leader Christian Lindner pointed the finger directly at Trump, saying: "It is clear that all means are available to the US President during the election period," adding that "combating the new Corona virus is a task that concerns the whole of humanity, and there is no room Selfishness. "