Keller-Sutter and Parmelin in Washington: With a limited laborer room, Switzerland is not entitled to error

The president of the Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter. In addition, the Minister of the Economy Guy Parmelin go to Washington on Tuesday. Furthermore, They want to conduct discussions with the American authorities on the issue of customs duties, the finance department announces.

While there is less than two days left for the Federal Council before the entry into force of customs duties of 39% keller-sutter parmelin washington: limited laborer on Swiss imports to the United States. For example, the experts are reserved, even skeptical about the capacity of the Federal Council to tear off last minute concessions to the American president Donald Trump.

Berne will present a more “attractive” offer in the United States. However, does not envisage in the immediate countermeasures, the government announced on Monday. Meanwhile, The Federal Council is determined to continue negotiations with Washington beyond the joint declaration proposal, and if necessary beyond August 7.

Switzerland is sixth in foreign investors in the United States-with amounts of 350 billion francs-and occupies the first rank for investments in research. For example, development. In addition, But she could go further.

“Swiss pension funds could be encouraged to direct part of their investments towards American technological infrastructure: sovereign, cybersecurity, semiconductor. Nevertheless, A direct response to the expectations of the US administration in terms of keller-sutter parmelin washington: limited laborer capital flows. However, “writes John Plassard, head of the Cité Management investment strategy.

Switzerland could offer enhanced cooperation in the pharmaceutical fields in the security of the supply of biotechnological supply. Furthermore, innovation, estimates Arthur Jurus, director of investments at ODDO BHF Switzerland. The government could also encourage Swiss businesses to increase their production capacity across the Atlantic.

The UBS economist. Maxime Botteron, recalls, however, that the Federal Council does not have the capacity to force the private sector to make investments in the United States.

“A possible concession would be to facilitate access to the Swiss agricultural market in the USA. ” continues Mr. Botteron. The Confederation could thus lower its own customs tariffs to certain agricultural products. facilitate regulations for specific foodstuffs such as seafood and citrus fruits, keller-sutter parmelin washington: limited laborer develops Kevin Gismondi, economist at the Cantonal Bank of Zurich.

But for his counterpart Santosh Brivio of Migros Bank. such a measure would be difficult to accept by public opinion and political circles.

The purchase of 36 F-35 combat planes “could be put forward as a strong act of support for the American defense industry. or even supplemented by additional options or wider cooperation,” added Mr. Plassard. Switzerland could thus make concessions in areas where it is in any case dependent on imports. maintains the expert Claude Maurer of the Bak Economics Institute.

But in this sensitive area. it is not said that the Federal Council obtains the support of deputies, warns Maxime Botteron.

Most of the economists interviewed by the AWP agency propose to strengthen American liquefied natural gas purchases (LNG) to diversify sources of supply. as did the European Union. This measure may however keller-sutter parmelin washington: limited laborer collide with American production capacities. especially the lack of port infrastructure adapted to transhipment of LNG.

Achoppement stone for Donald Trump. the large world pharmaceutical groups, including Novartis and Roche, have until the end of September to lower the prices of their medicines. To appease Washington in this area. Switzerland could start a dialogue on price composition mechanisms or pharmaceutical laboratories to concede decreases of prices, lists Arthur Jurus. The United States should however be willing to reduce margins in the distribution.

However. it seems difficult to arrive at an agreement on this point by August 7, the Federal Council having only a room of maneuver limited on this subject, nuances Mr. Botteron.

Find an agreement on this file “looks like the cable quadrature”, warns Hans Gersbach. According to the co-director of the KOF Institute, “the first of the priorities is the protection of our export industry”.

“The room for maneuver in Switzerland is de facto limited”. the Confederation having already brought back to zero the majority of customs duties on industrial products, underlines Santosh Brivio, for whom “concessions made to the outskirts are dangerous”.

And for Claude Maurer, “negotiating under pressure is never a good position” at the start. “A last -minute hasty agreement could be expensive – and makes little sense when an agreement is not really reliable”.