Donald Trump says he threatened France with 25% tariffs to make President Macron agree to raise drug prices, aiming to lower costs for Americans.
PALM BEACH: Former US President Donald Trump has claimed he strong-armed French President Emmanuel Macron into agreeing to raise drug prices in France.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the 79-year-old Republican recounted a conversation he said he had with the French leader.
“I spoke to a very good man, President Macron of France, and I said, ‘Emmanuel, you have to raise your drug prices.’ He said, ‘No, no, no, we will not do that.’ I said, ‘You have to’,” Trump said, imitating Macron’s voice.
Trump stated that Macron continued to resist his demand during the discussion.
The former president claimed he then issued a direct threat to break the impasse.
“If you don’t do it, I’m going to put a 25% tariff on everything France sells into the United States of America,” Trump said he told Macron.
He maintains that Macron then replied “I see,” and subsequently relented to the demand.
Trump has repeatedly argued that forcing European nations to raise their drug prices will cause pharmaceutical costs to fall for Americans.
This summer, the Washington administration reached a tariffs deal with the European Union.
That agreement set a 15% tax on most European exports to the US market.
There has been no official announcement or policy decision in France regarding drug prices since Trump’s claimed conversation.
