In a bold move to slash skyrocketing drug prices in America, President Donald Trump revealed he threatened French President Emmanuel Macron with 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne. Speaking at a steel plant in Rome, Georgia, Trump recounted the tense phone call that forced Macron’s hand.
Trump explained his new policy aims to align U.S. drug prices with the lowest global rates. ‘American consumers pay far more than anyone else,’ he said, citing cases where Americans shell out up to 13 times more than people in other countries. He picked up the phone to foreign leaders, demanding immediate changes.
‘I called Macron and said, change your prices or else,’ Trump recalled. Macron reportedly resisted at first, fearing business losses. But Trump doubled down: ‘If you don’t, I’ll slap 100% tariffs on all your wine and champagne sold in America.’ Macron caved quickly, agreeing to comply happily.
Trump boasted similar successes with Germany, Spain, and others, proving tariffs remain his sharpest negotiating tool. ‘Tariffs are my favorite word in the dictionary,’ he told workers, crediting them with reviving U.S. manufacturing. He tied drug price reforms directly to this tariff strategy, even as he awaits a Supreme Court ruling on his trade authority.
The president highlighted broader economic wins: over $18 trillion in investment commitments in just 11 months and record stock market highs since the election. This wine tariff threat underscores Trump’s unique approach, blending trade, healthcare, and geopolitics in high-stakes talks that could ripple beyond Europe.
For years, the U.S. has faced criticism for prescription drug prices far exceeding those in Europe and other developed markets. Efforts to benchmark against international rates spark fierce debate, with pharmaceutical giants warning of hits to innovation and global supply chains. Trump’s aggressive tactics signal a new era in tackling this long-standing issue.