Macron: Supreme court tariffs ruling shows importance of rule of law

French President Emmanuel Macron said on February 21 that the US Supreme Court ruling against President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs demonstrates the importance of institutional checks and balances in democracies.

Speaking at the annual agricultural salon in Paris, Macron responded to a question about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under an economic emergency law were illegal, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

"It is not bad to have a Supreme Court and, therefore, the rule of law," Macron said. "It is good to have power and counterweights to power in democracies," he added.

The ruling represents a significant legal setback for Trump’s trade policy, which had relied on emergency powers to impose tariffs.

Macron also addressed the broader issue of trade tensions, saying France would assess the impact of Trump’s newly announced 10% global tariff and adjust accordingly. He stressed that France intends to continue exporting its products — including agricultural goods, luxury items, fashion and aeronautical products — despite the new measures.

He said that a calm mindset was needed and that the fairest rule was "reciprocity" and not to "be subjected to unilateral decisions."

By Sabina Mammadli