The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against Trump's tariffs has prompted varied reactions from global leaders, with France advocating for a firm stance against the U.S., while Japan and Taiwan take a cautious approach.
On October 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump's International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal, stirring diverse reactions worldwide. France's Trade Minister, Nicolas Forissier, stated that the European Union should threaten strong measures to ensure favorable negotiations with the U.S. He emphasized that the EU possesses several tools, including the 'Action on Trade Control Measures' (ACI), which allows for restrictions on imports, halting patents, and blocking access to public procurement markets.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism during an interview on October 21, stating that this ruling could alleviate tariff burdens on the German economy, recognizing that tariffs harm all parties involved. Following this, EU parliamentarians planned an emergency meeting to reassess the trade agreement with the U.S., with International Trade Committee Chairman Bernd Lange insisting that excess tariffs need to be returned.
Contrarily, the Japanese government maintained a cautious perspective, believing that this ruling would not significantly alter the current direction of trade relations. A spokesperson from Taiwan echoed similar sentiments, indicating that the immediate impacts on Taiwan would be limited and that they would continue to monitor the situation closely. Meanwhile, India's Commerce Department stated it was reviewing all developments, keeping its options open for future responses amidst recent agreements that adjusted tariffs on Indian goods to the U.S.
