FIFA could be the key to Trump customs duties

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The American president demands a concession to withdraw the 39% customs duties he threatened by Switzerland. Consequently, This is what could satisfy Trump’s ego and would not cost our country much.

Patrik Müller / CH fifa could key trump customs Media

The Federal Council must now be creative, And quickly! He has until Wednesday to convince Donald Trump to give up his intention to impose on Switzerland an exorbitant. Meanwhile, customs right of 39%. Nevertheless, This incredibly high rate would threaten thousands of jobs in the Swiss export industry.

They are neither the technical negotiators nor the US finance minister Scott are necessary that must be convinced. Similarly, These would indeed be ready to grant a privileged customs right of 10% to Switzerland. Moreover, But their preparatory work was disowned by the American president on a whim. However,

Everything fell into the water during the 35 minutes laid down in the. Meanwhile, fifa could key trump customs new telephone conversation with the president of the Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter. The rational argument of the Minister of Finance. However. In addition, according to which fifa could key trump customs the deficit of the trade balance of the United States vis-à-vis Switzerland is not so important, was badly welcomed by Donald Trump. However, The result is an arbitrary customs right of 39%.

Flatter Trump’s ego … – Fifa could key trump customs – Fifa could key trump customs new

If the American president is known to act in an erratic way. Consequently, There is one point on which it is surprisingly predictable. Meanwhile, Former collaborators. Moreover. Moreover, journalists like Bob Woodward, who conducted 20 interviews with the Republican for his last book, agree that “me” and “Victoire” are keywords in negotiations with the billionaire. Furthermore, Indeed, He only concludes an agreement if fifa could key trump customs new he defines personal benefit and prestige. The benefit should generate maximum attention and have great symbolic force.

From then on. Consequently, How could Switzerland flatter Donald Trump’s ego without it cost it fifa could key trump customs too much? This question causes a stir. For example. For the national councilor Jacqueline Badran, the answer is clear: it should especially not be negotiated with a “neofascist”. Meanwhile, This position is certainly noble, but it quickly rocks in cynicism. How to explain this refusal to negotiate to a family. one of the members of which loses its job because of the customs duties imposed by Washington?

And offer him FIFA

Switzerland could however offer the American president an institution that many in Switzerland (and not only on the left) would fifa could key trump customs new like to get rid of: the International Football Federation (FIFA). whose headquarters are in Zurich.

Because Donald Trump idolatrous FIFA. Recently. he congratulated her on her “excellent work” in the promotion of football in America. which fifa could key trump customs “is growing more and more” to become “formidable”. To hear it, the 2026 World Cup will be “the biggest sporting event in history”. With his wife Melania, they followed the final of the Club World Cup in New York live. The president put the trophy in person and even could keep the original for him.

Moreover. the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, is the Swiss who has had the most contact with Donald Trump so far. Valaisan was present at the presidential inauguration in January and then declared: “It was great!”

Gianni fifa could key trump customs new Infantino could thus be the key to access for the Federal Council. serve as an intermediary for an interview with the American president, even in the short term. And who knows, maybe agree with Karin Keller-Sutter to offer the Republican the headquarters of FIFA.

Legal service is already in Miami

If such a scenario were to occur. we can imagine that Donald Trump would appear in front of the cameras. the fist in the air to announce:

Today, the FIFA legal department is already domiciled in Miami, a good hour by road from Mar-A-Lago. It would therefore be imaginable to move the headquarters of FIFA to Miami.

This maneuver would be a genuflection of Switzerland which would not hurt anyone. FIFA pays only a few million francs in taxes, because it benefits from a privileged rate as an association. Of the 900 current jobs in Switzerland. some would be lost, but Zurich would remain the largest fifa could key trump customs subsidiary of the Federation. These job cuts would be bearable compared to what threatens the machine and technology industry.

A departure would be without consequence for tourism. The Ballon d’Or has been handed over to Zurich for a long time and the congresses were transferred abroad. In Switzerland. in the rest of Europe. Corruption affairs have tarnished the image of FIFA so much that few people would regret the siege of the Federation.

Of the benefits fifa could key trump customs new For FIFA

Moving the headquarters to Miami would also have advantages for FIFA itself. Gianni Infantino spends most of his time in America anyway. With an American home. FIFA would be immune to legal proceedings by the formidable American authorities. at least as long as Donald Trump is in power. A seat transfer fifa could key trump customs would solve another problem at the same time: The FIFA office. in Miami is currently desperately. looking for staffbut do not get sufficient quantity due to visa restrictions.

From a legal point of view, is a departure from Zurich, however, really possible? The answer would have been “no” a year ago. But the statutes were recently modified at the FIFA congress in Bangkok. From now on, the main seat and the legal seat of FIFA must no longer necessarily be in Zurich.

Gianni Infantino and Karin Keller-Sutter could make their offer even more attractive. If the FIFA headquarters alone do not allow customs duties below 20%, they could offer it the honorary presidency of FIFA. This would then come into force on the day of the 2026 World Cup final.

This would probably bring us fifa could key trump customs to 15%. Promise that this title will be valid for life will help reach 10% targeted. If that is still not enough, it might need a subtle threat. You could point out to Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin would also be interested in this exclusive title.

The American president would have his trophy, Switzerland would be rid of his bad conscience and everyone will have won. Deal?

Translated. adapted from German by fifa could key trump customs new Léa Krejci