Keystone-SDA
While the expectation continues concerning the decision of the American government on customs rights applied to imports from Switzerland, Karin Keller-Sutter was relatively optimistic. But the decision is in the hands of Donald Trump.
(Keystone-ATS) In the program Heute Morgen of the Alemanic Radio SRF, the president of the Confederation said on Wednesday that “as a rule, the final decision is never completely final. We can always continue to negotiate ”.
But for the moment, nothing can be done other than waiting. The decision is now “in the hands of the United States, in the hands of the American president (Donald Trump), and it is up to him to decide,” she said in an interview broadcast Tuesday evening by RTS.
“I already hope that we will find a solution together,” said the Minister of Finance, recognizing that Switzerland is a small country. “We have a certain economic power, but not political. You have to admit and you have to do it with it, ”she said.
“Very important” interview
Karin Keller-Sutter had discussions with Donald Trump in April. According to her, this interview was “very important: on the one hand, it opened the doors to us so that Guy Parmelin and I could meet the Minister of American Finance, and, on the other hand, for negotiations to end. »»
Switzerland is threatened by American customs duties of 31% from August 1. Currently, an additional general customs right of ten percent is in force. Berne and Washington were able to agree on a declaration of intention, which the Federal Council approved, a spokesman for the Federal Economy Department announced at the start of the week.
The Federal Council will actively communicate as soon as it has authorization from the United States or there will be other important developments for the public.
