During a White House discussion on rural healthcare, former President Trump recounted a striking phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, a conversation centered on the contentious issue of prescription drug prices. The exchange, as described by Trump, unfolded with a surprising theatricality, immediately capturing the attention of those present.
Trump began to recreate the dialogue, adopting a distinct French accent to portray Macron’s side of the conversation. He recalled initiating the call, stating he told Macron, “'Emmanuel,'” and then mimicking Macron’s response: “'Yes, Donald, Donald. Thank you so much for calling.'” The shift in tone immediately signaled a tense negotiation was about to be revealed.
The core of the disagreement revolved around the significant disparity in drug costs between the United States and Europe. Trump asserted that Americans were paying exorbitant prices – up to thirteen times more – for the same medications compared to their European counterparts. He described presenting Macron with this stark reality.
Armed with the leverage of potential tariffs, Trump explained he directly challenged Macron to raise drug prices within France. He recounted telling Macron, “'You're going to have to get your drug prices up,'” only to be met with a firm refusal, delivered, according to Trump, in a similarly accented response: “'No, no, no, no, no, I will not do that.'"
Trump detailed his threat to impose a 25% tariff on all French goods entering the United States – including wine and champagne – if Macron didn’t comply. He painted a picture of a high-stakes negotiation, where economic pressure was the primary tool for achieving parity in drug pricing.
According to Trump, Macron responded with flattery, stating, “'Donald, I would love to do this for you. It would be a great honor to do it.'" This apparent willingness, Trump claimed, marked the beginning of a series of similar conversations with leaders across multiple countries.
Despite the forceful negotiation tactics, Trump expressed personal fondness for Macron, describing him as a “very nice person” and stating, “I like him a lot.” He even added a hopeful note, suggesting Macron might be listening to the account and reconsidering his position.
The former president had previously employed similar imitations when discussing Macron, suggesting a pattern of using this method to emphasize the dynamics of their interactions. The roundtable offered a rare glimpse into the often-unconventional approach taken during international negotiations.
