The guest
The credibility of the confederation at half mast
Whether with customs duties or the F-35, Switzerland has not made the weight against the White House.
States have no friends. They have interests. The Confederation pays today to have ignored this fundamental precept in international relations. It is all the more incomprehensible that Donald Trump has posted it for months on the cap he has screwed on his head: “America First.”
What was it necessary to put us on alert? Nothing. Except that the Confederation preferred to base its policy on the principle of hope rather than on the principle of reality. Hope that having been the first to be able to speak to him live, we would not be the last served. Hope that in careful not to compromise us with our European neighbors, we would undoubtedly get more favorable treatment than them. Hope that in the name of friendship, good faith, loyalty and I do not know what other value that Trump laughs madly, the new Washington Jupiter would free Switzerland from his lightning. Until the cleaner of the 39% additional customs duties fell, the Federal Council and its experts have continued to believe – or at least make us believe – that the signals were green. That a major crisis could explode seemed completely excluded.
Switzerland has been showing for a long time, it is true, of naivety towards Washington. This attitude is not limited to the current trade war. She is also looking at the F-35 affair. Like all European countries, Switzerland has an urgent need to strengthen its defense, in particular its sky. I will not say the opposite. To do so, we chose an American plane rather than a European plane. It was, we were said, the best and the cheapest. Either. It was even sold, promised juror, at a fixed price.
Denied problem
When doubts appeared, we denied the existence of any problem by exhibiting law notices and commitment – public, you think! – of the American ambassador to Switzerland. Meanwhile, all those responsible for the decision resigned and it was not until the arrival of a new federal adviser so that the speech is suddenly less sharp. On June 16, 2025, in response to a question raised to the National Council, the Federal Council continued “to consider that the fixed price agreed [s’appliquait] to the acquisition of the F-35 “, but examined” however the situation continuously and would communicate in the event of a modification of the situation “. Now we know what it is.
In such a context, perhaps finally-perhaps-the Federal Council will eventually understand that the managers of the AVS funds should not be left to choose an American bank as a depositary bank of this fortune, while several Swiss banks-there are still a few-had the skills to do the job.
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