US President Donald Trump again mocked the accent of French President Emmanuel Macron while recounting a private conversation between the two leaders during a speech at a Republican conference.
Trump described a discussion about drug pricing and trade tariffs, telling the audience he had called Macron to push for what he described as a fairer arrangement on pharmaceutical costs between the United States and Europe.
Trump recounts exchange over drug prices
According to Trump, he told the French president that France should offer the United States a more favourable deal on drug pricing.
“I called France. I said, ‘Emmanuel, you have to cut your good friends from America a reasonable deal. What’s happening is you are paying a tiny fraction for drugs as we…’,” Trump said. He then imitated Macron’s response.
Trump randomly decides to mock Macron again:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 9, 2026
I called the countries up. I called up France. I said, “Emmanuel, you have to cut your... your good friends from America a reasonable deal. What’s happening is you are paying a tiny fraction for drugs as we...” “No, no, Donald, I… pic.twitter.com/e3aSUzWeKx
“‘No, no, Donald, I cannot do anything about that.’ I said, ‘Yes, you can. You can.’ He said, ‘No, no, I will not do it. I will not do it,’” Trump said while mimicking the French leader’s accent. Trump argued that aligning pharmaceutical prices would mean Europe paying more while prices in the United States would fall sharply. “Because he would have to raise his pill from 10 dollars to 20, maybe even 30. Ours would come down from 130 dollars to 20 dollars,” he said.
Threat of tariffs on French wine and champagne
Trump also told the audience that he warned Macron the United States could impose tariffs if the issue was not resolved.
“I said, ‘Well, here’s the story. If you don’t do it, I’m going to put, in the case of Emmanuel, a 100% tariff on all wines and champagnes coming into the United States,’” Trump said. He again imitated Macron’s reaction.
“‘No, no, Donald! You cannot do that!’ I said, ‘I’ve already got the legislation, it’s right in front of my desk. I’m going to sign it,’” Trump said. According to Trump, the dispute eventually led to agreement. “‘Donald, I will agree to this,’” Trump said Macron told him, adding that other countries involved in the discussions also eventually agreed.
Repeated mockery of Macron
The latest remarks follow similar incidents earlier this year in which Trump used a mocking tone while referring to Macron during discussions about tariffs and trade disputes.
Those comments drew criticism from observers who viewed the imitation of the French leader’s accent as dismissive and undiplomatic.