WASHINGTON—President Trump said he supported what he described as an emerging agreement that would allow Nippon Steel to invest in—but not fully own—U.S. Steel, potentially opening up a new path for the Japanese company to enter the American steel market.

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.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday Japan's Nippon Steel will not buy U.S. Steel and would instead invest in the company, which would dramatically reshape the $15 billion merger bid that had been in negotiation for more than a year.