Sanded by the blow of new customs duties decided by Donald Trump, Switzerland will have to react. But how? Varied proposals emerge on the political spectrum, between continuation of diplomatic dialogue at the highest level, support for businesses or even agreement with the European Union.
Switzerland and the United States therefore failed to agree on the declared declaration of intention in matters of customs policy. Switzerland will be taxed up to 39% from August 7, the highest rate in Europe.
>> Monitoring the latest information: The 39% taxes inflicted on Switzerland are “a surprise” and a “disappointment”, says Karin Keller-Sutter
On the political spectrum, everyone still hopes for new negotiations between Donald Trump and the Federal Council. The government said it has read “Grand Regret” of the American decision and wants to continue to aim for a negotiated solution with the United States.
What levers?
For the federal advisor Albert Rösti, Switzerland still has negotiation levers and they must be used. Questioned in Forum, he evokes investments provided by private companies in the United States-150 billion francs. But “if we do not have a stable relationship – which is the case now, because it is not at all stable – it is not certain that our companies are ready to invest in this market like that,” continues Minister UDC.
The Vaudoise national green advisor Sophie Michaud Gigon suggests operating another lever: taking an interest in American tech and financial services, at European level, citing the 500 million European consumers and European soil businesses. But she is worried about EU concessions in matters of sovereignty and decarbonation.
Sophie Michaud Gigon also suggests stopping the purchase of F-35s and looking at an industrial strategy at European level.
>> Listen to the proposals of politicians and politicians in Forum:
Solidarity … European, Swiss?
The left also wants to tighten ranks with European neighbors for the rest of the discussions. Vaudois national socialist advisor Samuel Bendahan proposes to “solidify a common position with the European Union”. According to him, “the alliance of countries that want democracy in their breasts must be stronger and strengthens exchanges”.
For the advisor to the Jura States of the Charles Juillard center, we must develop relations “with all our other economic partners and in particular the European Union”. According to him, you have to make your back until Donald Trump’s departure, but for that, “our businesses must be able to keep it so far”. It also mentions the possibility of examining compensatory measures or countermeasures, for example in terms of customs duties.
The right wants to reduce taxes for companies
The right calls for solidarity inside the country. The advisor to the Argovian States PLR Thierry Burkart calls in the 7:30 pm to “Tighten the elbows”, to “go beyond the partisan borders to offer a program of assistance for the Swiss economy”, with the objective of remaining competitive and of supporting businesses and citizens. We must also “stop in all the time inventing new taxes”, also says the Neuchâtel national councilor Plr Damien Cottier in Forum.
If customs duties are indeed high, “we will have to make decisions to relieve our businesses”, abounds the Geneva national councilor UDC Céline Amaudruz. For her, it means “less bureaucracy, less taxes, relieve (businesses) on a daily basis”. She also suggests developing “maximum free trade agreements with other countries to diversify risks”.
>> See also the subject of 7:30 p.m. on the consequences for Swiss companies:
Target discussions at the highest level
The parties still hope for new negotiations between Donald Trump and the Federal Council. For Charles Juillard, these must now be done at the highest level. “The federal advisers must be very personally committed, very directly in these new negotiations with their American counterparts to avoid this floor between the administration, the technicians and the president”.
Do you need pressure, retaliation, threat? Should Switzerland continue on its own or find allies, partners? The answers to these questions are now urgent.
>> See the analysis of Thierry Clémence:
19h30/Forum
Adaptation web: Julie Liardet