January: During his inauguration, US President Donald Trump announces that he will establish large -scale customs duties against other countries. According to him, these measures aim to help American citizens and to flush foreign funds in state funds. He said he wanted to reform the international trade system to protect US workers and families.
January 23: In a video message addressed to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Donald Trump calls on international companies to produce in the United States and reiterates his threat to introduce customs duties.
February 1: The head of the White House declares several national emergency states, in particular in response to the smuggling of Fentanyl. In particular, it targets Canada, Mexico and China.
February: Swiss economic associations observe these announcements with more or less concern. They call on politics to be “pro-active”. Managers, like the Secretary of State for the Economy Helene Budliger Artieda, underline the importance for Switzerland to negotiate a free trade agreement with the United States.
Questioned on February 27 by Keystone-ATS about the trade war looming between the European Union and the United States, the president of the Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter is confident. “There will be, according to my information, no consequences on Switzerland,” she said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in CAP.
March 2: The debate swells in Switzerland. In an interview with the NZZ AM Sonntag, the co-president of the Socialist Party Mattea Meyer declares that in view of the threats of Washington to impose customs duties of 25% on European products, this is not the time to discuss free trade with the United States.
March 9: Washington places Switzerland on a “list” of countries with “unfair commercial methods”, Berne having a positive trade balance with the United States for goods.
March 18: Helene Budliger Artieda meets in Washington the chief of staff of the American representative to the Jamieson Greer trade. “In a friendly atmosphere”, the Swiss delegation was able to assert that the reproach makes Switzerland for having recourse to “unfounded unfounded commercial practices”, assures the State Secretariat for the Economy (SECO).
April 2: On the occasion of a “Liberation Day”, Donald Trump shakes the planet by announcing very heavy customs tariffs against most countries. For Switzerland, it is a blow: 31%, much more than the rights applied to the European Union (20%). Entry into force planned: April 9.
April 5: Karin Keller-Sutter calls not to “give in to alarmism”. “Switzerland has assets to assert,” said the president of the Confederation in an interview disseminated by Liberty, Arcinfo and the Nouvelliste. Switzerland must assert them at the negotiating table. Swiss companies are among the main foreign investors in the United States, notably notes the Minister of Finance.
April 6: new trip to the Secretary of State for the Economy to Washington. Helene Budliger Artieda notably wants to “dispel any misunderstandings”.
April 7: The Minister of the Economy Guy Parmelin has a first interview in videoconferencing with the American representative in trade Jamieson Greer. The discussions will continue, it is said.
April 9: Karin Keller-Sutter speaks on the phone with Donald Trump. The two officials agree to continue the discussions to “find solutions in the interest of the two countries”. This direct contact is commented positively in Switzerland.
On the same day, in a spectacular flip-flop, Donald Trump announces that he is still increasing customs duties on products from China, but that he suspended from other countries for three months (until July 9). The scholarships jubilant.
April 25: Switzerland is part of a group of 15 countries with which the United States wants to find a quick solution to the issue of customs duties, says Karin Keller-Sutter, after meeting his American counterpart Scott Bessent in Washington. She specifies that she “clearly felt that the United States was also interested in the opening of negotiations with important business partners. And we are one of these important business partners”. During the interview, it is agreed to draw up a declaration of common intention.
May 9: While the United States and China negotiate in Geneva, Ms. Keller-Sutter talks once again with Scott Bessent. Switzerland says it has now a commitment from the United States to further accelerate dialogue on customs prices. The President of the Confederation wants to present a declaration of intent to Washington within two weeks. “We can say that it is encouraging that the Americans want to accelerate the process,” said Ms. Keller-Sutter, adding, however, that “it is still a little early” to say that Switzerland is “drawn”.
May 10: Still in Geneva, Scott Bessent claims that Swiss companies want to inject new investments for 150 to 200 billion francs in the United States.
May 28: The Federal Council adopts a project for a negotiation mandate. A few days later, the foreign policy commissions of the two chambers agreed.
July 4: Donald Trump announces that he will begin to send “letters” to the trade partners of the United States, informing them of the taxation of customs duties that would come into force on August 1. Negotiations are in their final stretch. The wait begins.
July 8: The Federal Council is “hopeful” that Switzerland and the United States are achieving “a good conclusion or at least at a first step” on American customs duties, said federal adviser Albert Rösti during a meeting with journalists in Moleson (FR). Only Donald Trump’s agreement is missing, said Minister UDC.
July 31: A few hours before the period for the entry into force of customs duties, Karin Keller-Sutter announces that Switzerland and the United States have failed to agree on the declared declaration of intention in matters of customs policy.
August 1: The cleaver falls. Donald Trump imposes 39% duties on Swiss products, invoking a 40 billion trade deficit towards Switzerland. Karin Keller-Sutter describes this way of calculating “absurd”.
August 4: After an extraordinary session in videoconference, the Federal Council announces that it intends to continue negotiations with the United States. Bern will present a more attractive offer and do not envisage countermeasures for the time being.
August 5-6: Karin Keller-Sutter and Guy Parmelin go to the United States to try to find a compromise with the Trump administration. The President of the Confederation is due to meet on Wednesday the head of the American diplomacy Marco Rubio.
