Modi, Macron Mentioned as Trump Revisits Trade, Tariffs and Power Politics

On Tuesday, December 6, 2026, former US President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging speech to House GOP members at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Scheduled to prepare Republican leaders for the upcoming midterm elections, the 79-year-old leader instead covered an array of topics—from the achievements of his administration to the United States’ global dominance and even his own dancing skills—during a 1-hour and 25-minute address.

Trump highlighted what he described as the accomplishments of his administration following the challenges left by former President Joe Biden’s term. The speech, which veered far beyond conventional electoral strategy, included references to three world leaders: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and French President Emmanuel Macron. His remarks about these leaders drew widespread attention and sparked global discussion.

Praise for US Military Operations and Weapons

Trump praised the US military for its “brilliant” operations, specifically referencing the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on January 3, 2026. “They’d been after this guy for years and years. He is a violent person, and he even tried to imitate my dance a little. But he has killed millions of people,” Trump said, framing the operation as justified and a notable success for his administration.

He also lauded the quality of US weapons, while criticizing production speed. “Nobody has our weapons. Nobody has the quality we have. The problem is we don’t produce them fast enough. Even our allies, when they want to buy, have to wait four years for a plane, five years for a helicopter. That stops now,” Trump stated. He mentioned India’s order of 68 Apache helicopters, which took five years to deliver, leading Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach out directly to him. “I have a very good relationship with Modi. He wasn’t fully happy initially, because of tariffs, but these have now been substantially reduced because of Russia,” Trump added. He further claimed that over $650 billion was expected to flow into the US soon due to these tariff adjustments.

Mocking French President Emmanuel Macron

One of the most controversial parts of Trump’s speech was his comments about French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump criticized the high cost of prescription drugs in the US, claiming the country paid significantly more than other nations. He alleged that he contacted several world leaders—including Macron—to increase their domestic drug prices, which he claimed were being subsidized by the US.

“Every country said no at first,” Trump recounted. “But within, I’d say, 3.2 minutes on average, they agreed to adjust their drug prices.” Trump singled out Macron as an example, claiming that he threatened a 25% tariff on French imports—including wines and champagnes—if France did not comply. According to Trump, Macron responded: “Donald, you have a deal. I would increase my prescription drug prices by 200%—it would be an honour.”

Global Reactions Pending

While Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, now face trial in New York, both Prime Minister Modi and President Macron have yet to publicly respond to Trump’s comments. The remarks have already generated significant attention and debate internationally, reflecting Trump’s continued influence and unfiltered communication style even outside formal office.

Also Read: Who Owns Venezuela Now? Trump’s Words Shake the Foundations of International Law