Will Trump punish Switzerland with taxes on August 1ᵉʳ?

The countdown is launched. It is This Friday, August 1 that the ultimatum expressed by Donald Trump before exploding customs duties. Should Switzerland, a country of export, fear a blow on the day of its national holiday? The reality is that no one knows anything about it, as the American administration blows up hot and cold on its business partners.

To understand it, you have to go back. And note that in six months of mandate, the American president will have said a lot of things and often their opposite. Remember.

On April 2, 2025, during his speech of “Liberation Day”, Donald Trump announced a 10% basic tax on all imported products. In a second step, he warned still heavier taxes from April 9 for countries with major trade deficits. For Switzerland, it had to be 31%.

Except that this rate has never been applied, the American president having decided to postpone his cleaver of 90 days. Which brought the new deadline for July 9.

Switzerland thought it was touching

In the meantime, Bern tried to conclude a deal. In early May, she congratulated herself-by the voice of her president Karin Keller-Sutter and her Minister of the Economy, Guy Parmelin- to be at a touching end. Switzerland then thought it was the second country to find an agreement with Washington, just after England.

Three months later, still nothing. “We thought it would go faster, admitted Guy Parmelin in early July. This is not the case. We are not the only ones to see. ”

At the time, the Vaudois did not get the time of July 9 and its taxes at 31%. “Theoretically, this increase could take place, but in practice I do not think so,” he explained then. Nothing is written, but several signals indicate that the United States considers our negotiations in good faith. An extension of the period is possible. Our priority is to quickly obtain a clear text on our status to remove uncertainty, which is harmful to our businesses. ”

The period has indeed been postponed. Berne retains his breath again.

American approval is missing

Arrested on this new deadline set for this Friday, here is what the Federal Department of Economy now responds (DEFR). “According to a decree signed by the American president on July 7, the suspension of additional customs duties for certain countries is extended to 1^is August 2025, while the 10% surcharge continues to apply. “

He underlines that “the Federal Council approved the draft declaration of joint intention by circular on July 4, 2025. A declaration of common intention requires the approval of the two parties.”

According to different mediathis text would provide exceptions for certain categories, such as the Pharma. In return, Switzerland should undertake to lower its taxes on certain products such as citrus fruits, seafood and American whiskey.

The DEFR does not comment and is content to explain that “the Federal Council will actively communicate as soon as it is the case or that there will be other significant developments. Switzerland is in contact with the competent American authorities. ”

No one dares to get wet under the federal dome

Donald Trump will he seal Switzerland soon or will he choose to punish us on 1^is august? “Donald Trump is so unpredictable and his policy so random, that no one can answer this question,” reacts Samuel Bendahan, co -president of the socialist group.

And the Vaudois to recall that it is not the first ultimatum fixed by the American president who would lead to anything. “Some American editorialists now use The acronym TACO To describe its mode of operation, which means “Trump Always Chickens Out”, which could be translated into French by “Trump is still deflating”. But this situation should not reassure us either, it hastens to add. Because it creates great insecurity for the economy. ”

According to him, the Federal Council must now deal with this American administration “which dysfunction” as we deal with with “a partner who is not reliable”. “This is why the Socialist Party says from the start that we would have a better time to make a common front with continental Europe, rather than looking for a deal in our corner. This is precisely what Donald Trump is trying to do: divide Europeans. ”

And to recall that even if Switzerland was winning an agreement, “nothing says that the latter would not shatter two weeks later on yet another whim by Donald Trump”.

No question for the right either to get wet. “This way of putting other countries in uncertainty is part of Donald Trump’s game. It is even his way of exercising power, analyzes Olivier Feller (PLR/VD). The experience of these first six months of presidential mandate has already taught us three things. Already that you have to be patient. Then that there will be a part of insecurity anyway. The British example shows us that even when there is an agreement with the USA, the latter is an intention agreement, the modalities of which may change. Which is not to reassure the economy. Finally, we know that we will not come back to the situation before. Because even in case of dealcustoms taxes will increase, since the famous base by 10% minimum is acquired. ”

Switzerland-follower of Swiss Finish-does she know how to negotiate in these conditions? “She is no longer in a conventional negotiation,” retorts Olivier Feller. In a way, she plays Donald Trump’s game trying to seduce him with investments or by privileged contacts. I think here for example on the phone that the president of the Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter had with the American president and that other countries have envied us. Now will this strategy work? This is another question. “

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