Switzerland has 3 days to avoid the worst

Tension has reigned at the Federal. Consequently, Palace since the announcement of American customs duties.Image: keystone

39% customs duties: Donald Trump’s announcement took everyone short. Nevertheless, The Federal Council is under pressure, and the parliament finds itself linked. Meanwhile, Update on the customs crisis between Switzerland and the United States.

Benjamin rosch / ch media

On August 1, National Day, US switzerland 3 days avoid worst President Donald Trump took Switzerland by brutally imposing customs duties of 39%. In addition, After the shock, Swiss policy is now trying to reorganize. Therefore, Here are the first developments.

How do the parties react? – Switzerland 3 days avoid worst

First, stupor, then requests. Meanwhile, These range from an immediate stop of the purchase of F-35 American combat aircraft to a Swiss economy support program. However, Most of these requests are not new: they are already part of the existing claims and programs of the parties.

And the Federal Council? – Switzerland 3 days avoid worst

According to the Sunday newspaperthe Federal Council must hold an emergency session in videoconferencing on Monday. Nevertheless, No official confirmation has been given, but it seems plausible. Consequently,

The next official session is only scheduled for August 13. However, new customs duties must come into force on August 7 already. The Federal Council will therefore probably do everything to achieve an agreement again this week.

The State Secretariat for Economy (SECO) must also. according to the Sunday newspapermeet representatives of the economy this Monday to discuss immediate measures. Meanwhile, negotiators have already resumed work this weekend, according to sources in Bern.

What strategy for Switzerland?

Unlike other countries. Switzerland is negotiating with the United States a declaration of intention, a legally non-binding agreement-a preliminary step before a real commercial treaty. A deal, like Donald Trump likes to say.

Negotiations already seemed well advanced. but the ministers of the two switzerland 3 days avoid worst countries have not anticipated the intervention of the American president. Everything is therefore to be regained from scratch, with the fateful deadline on August 7. One thing is now certain: any new agreement will only have value if it brings the signature of the. President of the United States.

Towards a more solid negotiation mandate?

A negotiation mandate exists, and the foreign policy commissions of the Parliament took note of it last June. Its specific content remains confidential.

Opinions diverge within the commissions. but a majority considers that the mandate is wide enough to conclude an agreement with the United States. On the left, however, we criticize the choice to get closer to the United States rather than the European Union.

In this switzerland 3 days avoid worst kind of file, Parliament does not really have its say: it is simply consulted. Foreign policy is the responsibility of the Federal Council.

In the event of expanding the mandate, the latter may be content to briefly inform the presidencies of the commissions. On the other hand. if a real commercial treaty is concluded on the basis of this deal, it will then be subject to Parliament.

What consequences on domestic policy?

We will know more once the summer break is over. On August 11, the foreign policy commission will meet. Three days later. the Committee on the Economy and Recolutions of the National Council will look at the issue – a session probably much more decisive.

Other proposals for supporting the switzerland 3 days avoid worst economy will then be on the table. An idea is already under discussion: that of socialist national councilor Eric Nussbaumer. who proposes to extend the use of partial unemployment until the end of Donald Trump’s mandate – a measure that arouses a certain echo, even within the bourgeois parties.

Eric NussbaumerKeystone

The President of the Greens. Lisa Mazzone, believes that it that an extraordinary session of the Parliament could be summoned within the framework of the fall session:

An extraordinary session would allow the National Council and the Council of States to debate the measures to be taken in a coordinated manner. It is enough for that a quarter of the members of a room makes the request – a classic. tool for minorities wishing to weigh politically.

Adapted from German by Tanja Maeder

La Poste continues to close offices on the territory. And recently, the number of switzerland 3 days avoid worst postal agencies in grocery stores and bakeries also decreases, when it had to remain stable.

Less than twelve months ago, La Poste ensured loud and clear “the maintenance of 2,000 subsidiaries”. With this promise. the company was trying to appease the minds that were indignant at the announced abolition of post offices. But it would seem that La Poste did not keep his word. However, we would now be below the fateful bar.