The Association of German Engineers (VDMA) welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on U.S. tariff policy. “We welcome the Court’s decision, which declared the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S. government unlawful” said VDMA’s director of foreign affairs, Oliver Richtberg, to the “Industrie und Handel” newsletter of “Politico” on Friday. “This is an important signal for rule‑based trade and legal certainty”.
Despite this, uncertainty for European firms remains. “President Trump has several alternative legal bases to impose global tariffs” Richtberg added. “We therefore fear that a 15 percent tariff on EU imports could be reintroduced in the near future”. The practical implications of the decision are still unclear.
The Chemical Industry Association also does not see ground for relief. “The Supreme Court is drawing a red line: even in trade policy, political arbitrariness ends at the rule of law” commented VCI chief executive Wolfgang Große Entrup. “This is a clear stop signal against a ‘baronial’ tariff approach, but there is no relief”.
Entrup cautioned that for their companies, a period of stability will not begin; rather a new round of uncertainty will follow. “Those who think the tariff conflict is over are mistaken. New tariffs on a different legal basis can be imposed at any time” he said. “Trade turbulence won’t disappear-it will simply shift the playing field”.
