Washington, January 16. . US leader Donald Trump said he threatened France and Germany with tariffs on their products if they did not agree to a US-proposed plan to increase drug prices in these countries.
The US leader, during a meeting with White House aides on health issues, noted that the cost of many drugs in the US has long been significantly higher than in European countries. According to him, the Washington government has reached an agreement with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, according to which the American people “will pay the lowest prices among all countries” for prescription drugs. At the same time, Trump made it clear that part of the costs could be passed on to consumers in European countries. Speaking about the consultations that led to these agreements, Trump said: “But we have a problem. Other countries don't agree to this. France refuses, Germany refuses, Britain refuses. The entire European Union refuses.”
Trump noted that he personally participated in negotiations with representatives of several states. “I start with French President (Emmanuel) Macron, a very good man. I like him very much. I hope he listens because he doesn't believe me, but he does. He's a good man,” the US leader said. Trump clarified that he told Macron the following: “You have to raise drug prices.” The French president, according to Trump, refused. “I said, 'Emmanuel, the problem is, if you don't do this, I'm going to put a 25 percent tariff on everything—wine, champagne, everything coming into the United States.' He said, 'Donald, I would be happy to do that for you,'” the US leader said.
The US President noted that he has held similar dialogues with leaders of several countries to seek the above agreements. Trump noted that he also threatened German authorities with a 25% tariff. “I talked to 10 important countries. They all said no, but after about two minutes, they all said yes,” Trump declared. The White House previously announced a plan to significantly reduce drug prices in the US. Its implementation requires the consent of the National Assembly.
