Macron says US Supreme Court tariff ruling shows it is good to have counterweights to power in democracies


French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to members of the media as he attends the opening day and inauguration of the 62nd International Agricultural Fair (Salon de l'Agriculture) at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, February 21, 2026. REUTERS/Manon Cruz/Pool

PARIS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - ⁠French President Emmanuel Macron said on ⁠Saturday that the U.S. Supreme Court ‌ruling on President Donald Trump's trade tariffs shows that it is good to have counterweights to power ​and the rule of law ⁠in democracies.

"It is ⁠not bad to have a Supreme Court and, ⁠therefore, ‌the rule of law," he said at the annual agricultural ⁠salon in Paris, in response to a ​question about ‌Friday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme ⁠Court that ​tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under an economic emergency law were illegal.

"It is ⁠good to have power and ​counterweights to power in democracies," Macron said.

He added that France would consider the consequences of ⁠Trump's new 10% global tariff and adapt and the country wants to continue to export its products, including agricultural, luxury, fashion ​and aeronautical goods.

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

(Reporting by Layli Foroudi; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Kirsten Donovan)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

With tariffs ruling, Supreme Court reasserts its power to check Trump
Exclusive-Cuban security forces exit Venezuela as US pressure mounts
France's Macron calls for calm ahead of march for far-right activist killed last week
Two soldiers, five militants killed in Bannu, Pakistan army says
Ukrainians, scattered across Europe, trapped in limbo by war
Analysis-Trump pushes US toward war with Iran as advisers urge focus on economy
Trump meets Vietnam leader, vows to remove Hanoi from restricted lists
Analysis-Supreme Court checks Trump's expansive view of executive power
Trump furious after Supreme Court upends his global tariffs, imposes new 10% levy
US says it struck vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing three men

Others Also Read