No trade agreement: Swiss products will be taxed at 39% by the United States

Switzerland and the United States did not find an agreement before the expiration of the customs duties, announced on Thursday evening Karin Keller-Sutter, president of the Confederation, on the social network X, after having maintained himself with American president Donald Trump.

“I had an interview today with President Trump before the expiration of the deadline for customs duties. The trade deficit remains at the center of its concerns. This interview did not make it possible to find an agreement on the declaration of intention negotiated between Switzerland and the United States, ”she writes.

According to a document published Thursday evening by the White House, Switzerland will be taxed at 39%. This is more than what was envisaged by Washington in April, in reverse of the negotiation efforts of the Swiss government. The bar had previously been set at 31%.

The United States is a big outlet for Switzerland which mainly exports drugs, but also watches, machines, coffee capsules, cheese and chocolate.

The new surcharge will begin to be collected on August 7, seven days after the date initially announced, announced Thursday a senior American official. This period of seven days before effective entry into force is provided to allow customs to organize, the official told the press.