Pilatus aircraft manufacturer, in the canton of Nidwald, is concerned.
Photo: KEYSTONE/URS FLUEELER
Nidwaldian aircraft manufacturer Pilatus asks politicians to quickly obtain an exemption from American customs duties for the Swiss civil aviation industry. He argues the exceptions which would have been granted to the EU and to Great Britain.
In an interview with the Schweiz Am Wochenende on Saturday, the chairman of the board of directors of Pilatus Hansueli Loosli considers that an exemption for the aircraft manufacturer should part of a possible agreement between Switzerland and the United States. This would put the company on a par with its competitors.
The entry into force of customs duties of 39% which strike the Swiss exports to the United States since Thursday have very hardly affect Pilatus, according to its president. It is not possible to postpone rights entirely on customers or compensate them with productivity increases.
This is why Pilatus decided on Friday to no longer temporarily export to the United States and will discuss with merchants and customers of the distribution of additional costs.
Mr. Loosli does not think of asking for state aid. Pilatus will temporarily win less but will do everything possible to adapt to new data without having to claim state aid. In the short term, no measure is provided for at Stans headquarters.
Over the longest term, it may be necessary to use partial unemployment or personnel discounts via natural fluctuations. Mr. Loosli hopes that politicians will get a reduction in American customs duties as quickly as possible.
/ATS