U.S. President Donald Trump said Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel would take the form of an investment instead of a purchase on Friday, even as two sources familiar with the matter said the Japanese steel company had not withdrawn its bid.

President Trump supports the Japanese company’s taking a stake in the American steel maker after the U.S. blocked a $14 billion takeover bid.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nippon steel has not withdrawn its $14.9 billion bid to buy U.S. Steel, two people close to the deal said on Friday, after President Donald Trump said earlier the Japanese steelmaker would "invest" in US Steel but not buy it.