WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald

Trump on Thursday said the United States has a "golden share" in

U.S. Steel, as part of a deal for Nippon Steel ( NISTF ) to

buy the iconic American company for $14.9 billion.

It was not immediately clear what structural element of the

deal Trump was referring to, but he said the share meant that

Americans would have a 51% ownership in the American steelmaker.

Nippon Steel ( NISTF ) and U.S. Steel did not immediately respond to

requests for comment.