India, Jan. 7 -- US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked French President Emmanuel Macron while claiming that he coerced France into sharply raising its prescription drug prices by threatening steep tariffs on French imports.

Addressing Republican lawmakers, Trump said the United States has "subsidised global healthcare for decades" and argued that his "Most Favoured Nation" (MFN) policy compelled foreign governments to fall in line quickly.

He claimed Americans pay up to "14 times more" for medicines than consumers in countries such as France.

When the French leader initially refused, Trump said he issued an ultimatum: either comply or face a 25 per cent tariff on all French goods, including wine and champagne.

Recounting the epi...