August 1 report
Switzerland humiliated? Karin Keller-Sutter’s response to Trump on the Grütli
The president went to the founders’ meadow in the wake of customs taxes. And she prefers fervor to criticism.
After having avoided the subject during his speech, Karin Keller-Sutter retaliated on customs taxes in front of the media.
keystone-sda.ch/Urs Flueeler
- Karin Keller-Sutter avoids evoking customs taxes during the Grütli festivities.
- The surprise increase in customs duties to 39% strongly disappoints the Federal Council.
- Trump accuses Switzerland of stealing 40 billion in the United States via exchanges.
- The president of the Confederation judges the reasoning of Donald Trump.
The nation first. In the Grütli meadow, Karin Keller-Sutter border with patriotic protectionism. Nothing should spoil the party, the Jodel, the flag throws, the Alps horn and the popular fervor that can be read in the faces, the Edelweiss shirts and the white cross caps. Nothing. Not even an announcement across the Atlantic under 39% customs duties. The President of the Confederation will not say a word in her official speech.
Gently, it evacuates the problem – which puts economic and political Switzerland in boiling – before its speaking. “”What to say on the hammer blow that Switzerland received?Questions the speaker before giving her the boards. “You have to work and find solutions. But let’s not give too much room for this event. Today is our day. It’s national holiday. ” Applause in the Assembly. Karin Keller-Sutter has the patriots behind her. But an hour later, during a press briefing organized in the shade of a centenary tree, the tone changes. And America eclipses 1is August.
Karin Keller-Sutter during his speech at the Grütli meadow for the Swiss national holiday, August 1, 2025.
keystone-sda.ch/Urs Flueeler)
“The interpretation of Donald Trump is absurd”
From the outset, the president of the Confederation was arrested on the American president with whom she trained the day before. “What does Donald Trump want?” Karin Keller-Sutter unpacks, not without revealing a hint of annoyance. “”This 39% customs right was a surprise for the Federal Council. We are disappointed, the price provided for in the agreement was much lower and had the support of the ministers of her cabinet, “she replied without articulating specific figures.
The failure of negotiations is exclusively linked to the balance of the trade balance, in favor of Switzerland, and nothing else, says the president. “According to Donald Trump’s interpretation, our country makes you lose nearly 40 billion in the United States. It’s absurd. He has the impression that Switzerland is stealing this money, “adds the one who, as in April, insists that the balance is” almost reached “. At least, if the services – and not only the goods – are integrated into the calculation.
The catchphrase is known. But she obviously does not find an echo with the White House. Like the 6the Swiss rank in the classification of foreign investors does not move the US administration.
In other words, before returning to the negotiating table, Switzerland will have to build a new argument. Which? Mystery. “The Federal Council has not yet discussed it.”
Switzerland humiliated?
For weeks, the path to the American verdict was paved with optimism. From the phone between Donald Trump and Karin Keller-Sutter-twenty-five minutes which then sounded as Swiss salvation-to the negotiations of high struggle at the American Embassy, Switzerland fed the hope of getting out of it. And better than others. The fall is brutal. So everyone expresses their pain.
This Friday, the economic ridges and the entire political spectrum multiplied the calls for “firm reactions”, “rapid measures” and other injunctions to stop “complacency”. The verb is sharp, but the solutions are rare. Touched in its pride, Switzerland growls.
Does the first world power have a back of hand, humiliated a whole nation? “No, it’s a difficult time, but we will negotiate again. The State Secretariat for Economy has already made the first contacts, ”supports Karin Keller-Sutter, without betraying weariness. However, the file of customs taxes is an eternal restart.
Karin Keller-Sutter arriving on the Grütli meadow for the federal festival of August 1ᵉʳ.
keystone-sda.ch/Urs Flueeler
Ignore if not be able to act
On the plain of the Grütli, no one throws stone in Saint-Gallen. On the other hand, the American president is readily invective. He who, without compassion, shade the sky of 1is August. “Yes, Donald Trump spoils the party. But we have to ignore, we have no choice, ”slips a Neuchâtel endimanched in his Edelweiss shirt. A Bernese nods. “Let him do what he wants, Switzerland will resist.”
The hymn sounds. The assembly rises. Everyone then carries their hand to the chest, as if to send a message. Yes, Switzerland is offended, but it remains proud. And obviously patriot.
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