Finance
Macron says US Supreme Court tariff ruling shows it is good to have counterweights to power in democracies
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 21, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 21, 2026
Tags:Global trade
Quick Summary
At Paris’s agricultural fair, Macron praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s tariff ruling as proof of democratic checks. He said France will study Trump’s 10% global tariff’s impact while continuing exports.
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)
Key Takeaways
- •Macron said the U.S. Supreme Court’s tariff ruling underscores the value of the rule of law and checks on power.
- •The decision targets parts of President Trump’s tariff program, reinforcing separation of powers.
- •France will evaluate the effects of Trump’s newly announced 10% global tariff.
- •Despite tensions, Macron signaled France will continue exporting its products.
- •The comments come amid heightened US‑EU trade frictions with market implications.
Frequently Asked Questions about Macron says US Supreme Court tariff ruling shows it is good to have counterweights to power in democracies
1What is the main topic?
French President Emmanuel Macron’s reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his pledge to assess the impact of a new 10% global tariff.
2What did the Supreme Court decide?
On February 20, 2026, the Court struck down parts of Trump’s tariff program, emphasizing legal limits on presidential tariff powers and reinforcing checks and balances.
3How will France respond to the new 10% tariff?
Macron said France will evaluate the consequences for French exporters and broader EU trade, but that the country will continue exporting while policy options are reviewed.
