Germany’s foreign minister Heiko Maas told reporters that “others” would not be allowed to buy German coronavirus research exclusively, without naming US President Donald Trump.
“German researchers are taking a key role in developing medication and vaccines as part of global cooperation networks. We cannot allow a situation where others want to exclusively acquire the result of their research,” Maas said in an interview with Funke media group. The quote was confirmed to CNN by the German Foreign Office.
Over the weekend reports surfaced that Trump had been interested in buying research into a coronavirus vaccine by German biotech company CureVac. The German interior minister called the reports “accurate.”
CureVac denied a report that Trump was trying to lure its scientists to the US in a statement Sunday. It did not deny being in touch with the President or US government, but rejected rumors of an acquisition.
On Monday, Dietmar Hopp, a lead investor in the company, issued a statement saying that it should be available anywhere, also without mentioning Trump. CNN has reached out to Hopp for more information.
Maas said that everyone shares the goal of slowing the spread of the virus and saving lives.
“Every country is trying to protect its citizens as best it can, depending on the situation on the ground, and some countries are even imposing temporary travel restrictions,” he said.
“In the crisis we feel more than ever how much we depend on each other. That is why we need more, not less, cooperation right now.”
Maas added that he had discussed cooperation with colleagues from Canada, South Korea, Brazil and Australia, and will also do so with G7 ministers.
“We’ll only defeat this virus together, not against each other,” he said.
“We support the WHO so that help can be given where it is most needed, including in poorer countries.”
