French President Emmanuel Macron voiced opposition to the possibility that Iran could impose a toll in the Strait of Hormuz, warning of damage to the international maritime order and the potential for global price increases.
Macron said in an interview with France's TF1 on the 15th that "we will take every step to ensure no toll is imposed in the Strait of Hormuz."
He strongly criticized Iran's plan to impose a toll and stressed the need for an international response.
Macron said "imposing a toll is a step backward," adding that "the phrase 'payment for services' is just wordplay." He continued, "Such a move would set a precedent and could spread to other straits," and "in the end, it could lead to a rise in prices around the world," he said.
He especially emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is a key route for international trade and therefore freedom of navigation must be guaranteed. He added, "Imposing a toll does not conform to the principle of freedom of navigation under international law," and said, "We will make every effort to ensure Iran does not collect a toll."
The remarks came right after Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that a U.S.-Iran agreement document included language that authority to manage "maritime services" in the Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran and Oman.
Controversy is growing as interpretations emerge that the language effectively recognizes the authority to collect a toll.
Macron, meanwhile, also pushed back after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded France scrap its digital services tax (DST) and said he would impose high tariff rates on French wine and champagne.
He said, "The United States cannot decide Europeans' rights," adding, "A tariff helps no one, and especially not among Group of Seven countries."
Regarding a summit with Trump, he said they would "discuss the issues firmly while respecting each other."
The Group of Seven summit begins a three-day schedule on the day with bilateral meetings.