Keystone-SDA
The president of the Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter and the Minister of the Economy Guy Parmelin go to Washington on Tuesday. They want to conduct discussions with the American authorities on the issue of customs duties.
(Keystone-ATS) The objective is to conduct discussions with a view to improving Switzerland’s situation in terms of customs duties, announces the Federal Finance Department (DFF). Washington set them 39%for Switzerland from August 7, much more than the EU (15%), the United Kingdom (10%) or Japan (15%), to the comparable economic structure.
During an extraordinary session on Monday, the Federal Council reaffirmed its desire to continue discussions with the United States. The government intends to present a more attractive offer, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of customs duties applied to Swiss exports, while taking into account the concerns of the United States.
The President of the Confederation and the Vice-President of the Federal Council are accompanied by a small delegation made up in particular by the Secretary of State for the Economy Helene Budliger Artieda and the Secretary of State for International Financial Questions Daniela Stoffel.
The Federal Council will communicate as soon as there are developments relevant to the public, the press release said.