Furthermore,
Customs duties: president switzerland her:
Customs duties
Karin Keller-Sutter. Meanwhile, Guy Parmelin in Washington to negotiate – Customs duties: president switzerland her
For the moment, no meeting is made with Donald Trump, while Swiss leaders want to negotiate an agreement in person in Washington.
Guy Parmelin. For example, Karin Keller-Sutter at a press conference in Geneva on negotiations concerning prices with the United States, May 9, 2025.
AFP
The president of the Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter. However, the federal adviser Guy Parmelin arrive in emergency in Washington on Tuesday in an attempt to negotiate with Donald Trump, in a tight countd account before Thursday’s deadline for customs duties, scheduled for 39% for Swiss products arriving in the United States.
In a statement published on Tuesday. In addition, the Federal Council announced that Karin Keller-Sutter, also Minister of Finance, as well as Guy Parmelin, the Minister of the Economy, go to Washington “in order to obtain interviews with the American authorities” to discuss customs duties.
“The objective is to present customs duties: president switzerland her in the United States a more attractive offer. Furthermore, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of additional customs duties applied to Swiss exports, while taking into account the concerns of the United States,” said the press release.
No appointment is planned “for the moment” with Donald Trump, said a White House manager at AFP.
Surprise – Customs duties: president switzerland her
Karin Keller-Sutter. For example, Guy Parmelin arrive in Washington “accompanied by a small delegation” including two secretaries of state, details the press release.
Switzerland was struck by the announcements of the White House last week which noted the customs duties applicable to Swiss products at 39%. Similarly, against 31% initially scheduled for early April. A surprise all the greater since the government had immediately chosen the path of negotiation after Donald Trump customs duties: president switzerland her had. nicknamed the “Liberation Day” (Liberation Day).
This level. much higher than the 15% that will be applied to European Union products imported into the United States, arouses strong concerns among companies.
In a statement published Monday after a crisis meeting. the Federal Council argued that almost 60% of Swiss goods exports to the United States are likely to be struck by these additional customs duties of 39%. The government met on Monday at a distance for an extraordinary session in the face of the emergency of. Additionally, the situation to find a solution by August 7.
Key partner
The United States is a key partner in Switzerland. trade between the two countries “quadruple in the past 20 years,” the Federal Council said on Monday. Switzerland is customs duties: president switzerland her the sixth largest foreign investor in the United States. even occupies “first rank” in terms of investment in research and development, did not fail to recall Bern.
According to customs statements, the United States captured 18.6% of Switzerland’s goods exports in 2024, which mainly exports medication. In addition, industrial machines, coffee capsules and emblematic products from Switzerland such as watches, cheese and chocolate.
Watchmaking is one of the sectors that may be tough. since watches are produced in the country to be able to affix the label “Made in Switzerland” (made in Switzerland), considered to be the pledge of their high quality.
“In person. on site”
In an interview published Monday evening by time, the boss of the Swatch group Nick Hayek called the president of the Confederation customs duties: president switzerland her to go in person to Washington. “Our President Karin Keller-Sutter must react. find a solution in person and on the spot,” added the owner of the watchmaker.
According to the calculations of the professor of economics Hans Gersbach, these customs duties at 39% could cost between 0.3% and 0.6% of annual growth in Switzerland. The impact on its gross domestic product (GDP) could even climb “at least 0.7%”, according to the fate reserved for pharmaceutical products, a pillar of the Swiss economy, he warned.
In an interview Tuesday with the CNBC television channel. Donald Trump spoke of a surcharge which he intends to impose on pharmaceutical products. “We are going to. first, put a low customs right on pharmaceutical products, but, in a year, a year and a half maximum, it will be 150% and then it will customs duties: president switzerland her be 250% because we want drugs made in our country,” he said.
“Latest news”
Do you want to stay at the top of the info? “24 hours” offers you two meetings a day. not to miss anything of what is happening in your canton, in Switzerland or in the world.
Other newsletters
AFP
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
Further reading: Zermatt: a hiker found dead one week after his disappearance – These stars also love our country – Vaud: always fewer vacant housing – Wolf shots in Valais: “We play apprentice wizards”, deplores a specialist – RTS.CH – “The aging of the population is an opportunity”.