Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against the European Union, claiming it is “nastier” than China, just hours after announcing a 90-day pause in tariff exchanges with Beijing.
Speaking to reporters, the US president accused the EU of failing to pay its fair share, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where he said the bloc benefits from lower drug prices at the expense of American consumers.
“The European Union is in many ways nastier than China,” Trump said. “They treated us very unfairly. They sell us 13 million cars; we sell them none. They sell us agricultural products; we sell them virtually nothing. They don’t take our products. That gives us all the cards.”
He warned that the EU would be expected to contribute more to healthcare costs, allowing the US to reduce prices domestically. His remarks coincided with the unveiling of a sweeping executive order aimed at slashing US prescription drug costs.
Under the plan, pharmaceutical companies have 30 days to negotiate lower prices with the US Department of Health. If no agreement is reached, the government will introduce a rule linking US drug prices to those paid by other countries—many of which are significantly lower.
Criticising EU pressure on drugmakers, Trump said: “The European Union has been brutal. The drug companies actually told me stories—it was just brutal how they forced them.”
Trump claimed his order could cut US drug prices by between 50% and 90%, adding: “Big Pharma will either abide by this principle voluntarily or we will use the power of the federal government to ensure that we are paying the same price as other countries.”
