Still not agree between Switzerland and the United States on customs duties, which are supposed to climb to 31% from August 1. Pending a Washington decision, the Confederation strives to show a calm face. The President of the Confederation and Minister of Finance Karin Keller-Sutter has also shown himself relatively optimistic this Wednesday in the program This morning from SRF.
The Federal Advisor PLR said that “as a rule, the final decision is never completely final. We can always continue to negotiate. ” But for the moment, nothing can be done other than waiting. According to Karin Keller-Sutter, the decision now belongs to American policy and is no longer under the influence of Switzerland. “I already hope that we will find a solution together,” said the head of the Federal Finance Department.
Tuesday evening, in an interview with the RTS, the Saint-Galloise had recognized that the rest was “in the hands of the United States, in the hands of President Donald Trump”. She had recalled that “Switzerland is a small country (…), not superpower. We have a certain economic power, but not political. You have to do with it. But we should not do smaller either than we are. ”
Bern will communicate when Washington will give the green light
Switzerland is threatened by American customs duties of 31% from August 1. Currently, an additional general customs right of 10% is in force. Berne and Washington were able to agree on a declaration of intention, which the Federal Council approved, a spokesman for the economy department announced at the start of the week.
The Federal Council will actively communicate as soon as it has authorization from the United States or there will be other important developments for the public.