The lack of confirming evidence is a strong sign the Bloomberg reporters were played. It's interesting to wonder who might have done that though -- US businesses who might gain? Those from within the administration? Regardless of the truthfulness of the report, the damage is done and the hack story fits in well for the protectionist trajectory the US is taking.
Of course, if it turns out they deliberately mislead, then that makes it worse, and it was very imprudent thinking that they wouldn't be caught.