Trump found Switzerland “moralizing”

The German Sunday press reveals the cold tone of a call between Karin Keller-Sutter and Donald Trump.

Keystone

Karin Keller-Sutter a eu – off mandate of the Federal Council – A telephone conversation with Donald Trump on July 31. According to the Sunday newspaperTrump perceived the Swiss as “moralizing”. Referring to an article by the Bloomberg news agency, Sunday view writes that the American president felt offended by the fact that his counterpart has offered nothing to modify the trade deficit.

Angry, he imposed the rate of 39% in a more or less arbitrary manner according to a person close to the file interviewed by Bloomberg. After 30 minutes of telephone, the director of Seco, Helene Budliger Artieda, A, according to the Sunday newspaperreceived an SMS of the entourage of the manager. The message indicated that it was better to end the discussion before it degenerates completely. A relative of Karin Keller-Sutter, for his part, declared to Sunday view that the discussion did not degenerate and that the president found herself before the fait accompli.

Gold to save Switzerland?

In the rest of the Sunday press, one wonders if the gold trade will weigh in the balance during negotiations with the United States. According to the Sunday newspaper, Bern is ready to sacrifice the refining of gold if this can facilitate the conclusion of an agreement with Washington.

The gold trade is largely responsible for the deficit of the trade balance between the two countries, but actually provides few profits to Switzerland, according to the newspaper. In the country, gold is essentially recycled or rejecting to be adapted to the weight system in ounces used in the United States. Currently, the gold trade with the United States reaches record levels, reports blick.ch.

The fear aroused by American customs duties to major investors is the engine. The latter encourages them to bring gold to the United States before these taxes apply, according to the Sunday newspaper.

Surprise: our neighbor Liechtenstein is (almost) spared by the new American customs duties – in contrast to the treatment reserved for Switzerland. However, the two countries with the common currency had asked to be housed in the same brand. Explanations.

The United States saves Liechtenstein, opposite the treatment reserved for Switzerland. Customs duties, announced on the night of Thursday to Friday, amount to 15 % on goods from Liechtenstein, a rate significantly lower than 37 % initially envisaged.