United States: customs duties also worry in the country

“We were tabling on 10-15%, as for the European Union, but 39%, we do not anticipate it.” Like others. Moreover, Neal Rosenthal fell from the clouds when the White House unveiled the particularly high surcharges which it intends to apply to imports from Switzerland from Thursday, August 7. Similarly, Only Laos, Syria and Burma are doing less well, 40 and 41%.

CEO of Rosenthal Wine Merchant. In addition, a New York distributor who introduced Swiss wine to the Americans, the entrepreneur has not yet decided how he was going to adapt to this new deal, if it becomes reality. Moreover, Fortunately for him, French and Italian bottles represent most of his activity. Nevertheless. Furthermore, “Such customs duties will be a major obstacle to enlarge the Swiss wine market. However, which is small in the United States. Moreover, united states: customs duties also Especially since the dollar has dropped a lot, which complicates purchases, ”he regrets.

FRUSTRATION OF IMPORTERS OF Swiss products

Its frustration is shared. Nevertheless, by many importers of Swiss products across the Atlantic as the cleaver date approaches. Nevertheless, The president Karin Keller-Sutter went to Washington Tuesday August 5 to find a last minute agreement. Moreover, One thing is certain: whatever the scenario, Donald Trump will declare himself victorious. In addition, If the 39% come into force. Similarly, this will generate revenue for the United States at a time when the Republican must finance tax reductions for the richest households contained in his “big and beautiful law” adopted in early July.

If he concludes an agreement. Moreover, he will be able to highlight it with the electorate to show that his big arm strategy united states: customs duties also works, as he did at the end of July when he announced a deal with the European Union largely seen as unfavorable in Brussels. “We take thousands of billions of dollars from other countries which. for years, have exploited us as if we were children, and this is no longer the case,” he said on Tuesday.

“With these trade agreements. he gives his supporters the feeling that he wins victories on the inner front and internationally,” analyzes J. Lawrence Broz, professor specializing in political economy at the University of California-San Diego. He based his entire career on the idea that he is a business guru who manages to make deals. with high issues. He now applies this approach to the commercial level. ”

Republicans worried about customs duties

If the billionaire screams today victory, he could regret it later. For the expert, American consumers will suffer from its long -term trade policy. “There will be winners and losers. As always. But, in general, this will lead to more protectionism. The increase in prices that united states: customs duties also will result from it. the exports lost, redirected to other partners, will affect the country. ”

If the weight of surcharges is not yet felt in the wallets, the disturbing signals are multiplying. Thus. the disappointing employment figures (+ 73,000 in July against 100,000 expected creations, and 14,000 in June and 19,000 in May according to revised statistics), unveiled on August 1ᵉʳ, were largely allocated to the uncertainty created by the new tariff barriers. The president reacted by disgusting The chef of the Labor Statistics Office (Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS), the body causing the monthly report, accusing it, without proof, of having manipulated the figures.

While the candidate Trump had made the fight against inflation one of his flagship promises in 2024. several Republican elected officials, worried about a possible defeat during the “midterms” of November united states: customs duties also 2026, during which the entire House of Representatives and a third of the Senate will be renewed, openly share their concerns. “Companies postpone their expansion, hiring and investment decisions. Uncertainty is a challenge for a growing economy. “said Kansas Jerry Moran senator in the columns of the conservative site” The Hill “.

Customs duties before the courts

Another possible obstacle to the commercial policy of the tenant of the White House: the courts. In April. a group of importers began prosecution against the government, arguing that its surcharges were illegally established in the name of an emergency law in 1977, the “International Emergency Economic Powers Act” (IEEPA). The executive invoked this law because trade deficits. the decline of the industrial base and the fentanyl crisis, this murderous opiate which crosses borders, constitute emergencies in his eyes. Problem: according to the complainants. united states: customs duties also the text does not make “any mention of prices, rights, taxes or taxes, and no other president in the almost 50 years of the history of the law claimed that it authorized the customs prices”. The case was coupled with a similar complaint emanating from twelve American states.

After a first setback suffered by the government in May. Additionally, the file has been examined by a federal court of appeal since the end of July. Other complaints are also making their way in the mysteries of justice. “We cannot count on it because even if the administration is beaten. these cases could go up to the Supreme Court”, a majority of conservative, observes Neal Rosenthal. “We must manage this situation by ourselves, without resting on the courts.”

The businessman wants to continue to make Swiss wine known as united states: customs duties also much as possible. Its connoisseurs customers may be able to absorb a possible price increase. “Selling fewer bottles would not make a big difference for us on the economic level. On the other hand, this will affect our identity. I am proud to highlight high quality wine from small family productions in Valais and Vaud. We will not give up easily. ”

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments