Thousands of jobs in danger in Switzerland

Urs Furrer, Director of USAMKeystone

For the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts (USAM), Trump’s customs taxes would have “dramatic” consequences if they entered into force on Thursday. Many layoffs should be expected.

Tens of thousands of jobs are at stake in Switzerland after Donald Trump’s decision on customs duties, said the director of the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts (USAM) Urs Furrer. The federal council must now use the time window available to find a satisfactory solution with the United States.

During an interview, the director of the USAM qualified on Monday as “dramatic” the consequences of customs duties up to 39%. Many Swiss companies – especially small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) – would lose the American market.

“If these customs duties actually come into force on Thursday, there will not only be an increase in partial unemployment, but a general increase in unemployment,” warns Urs Furrer. Layers are expected. On the national level, the Federal Council must relieve SMEs where it is possible, for example in the costs attributable to the bureaucracy.

The Federal Council must do everything, within the time limits, to find a satisfactory solution. The American president’s erratic attitude could be a chance.

The importance of Swiss investments

Switzerland led to good faith negotiations and the result of customs duties of 10% would have been much better, adds the director of the USAM. As Donald Trump obviously decided otherwise, discussions should now be carried out at the highest level.

The American president is “somewhat obsessed with foreign trade figures”. Switzerland should therefore try to explain how it came to such a trade surplus and what is the importance of Swiss investments for the United States.

In addition, it is necessary to continue to diversify and modernize the network of free trade agreements where it is necessary. (JZS/ATS)

Europe and Switzerland are not spared when it comes to plant species with very high toxicity. It turns out that we rub shoulders with many of them even in our homes, often without even knowing it.

If you are a lovers of hiking and outings in the great outdoors, or moreover if you devote yourself to a form of picking, whatever it is, it can be vital to know how to identify certain dangerous species. It is often unknown, but many wild plants found in Switzerland constitute a serious risk of injury or death in the event of ingestion, or even sometimes simple contact.