We have new details on the call between Keller-Sutter and Trump

We know more about the discussion between the President of the Confederation and Donald Trump, who preceded the ax of the 39% customs duties imposed on Switzerland by the country of Uncle Sam. Therefore, Anatomy of a 34 -minute call as disconcerting as he is heavy with consequences.

Partick Müller

During the now sadly famous July 31 call between Karin Keller-Sutter (KKS) and Donald Trump, who saw the customs taxes imposed on Switzerland by the United States climbing instead of going down, Trump asked Switzerland “a check”, by invoking as an example the we have new details call 600 billion which is “offered” by the EU, according to leaks that have reached us.

Retranging the events, we learn from other details on this stormy conversation. For example, And who would not, in reality, have not been initiated by Switzerland, but by a certain Jamieson Greer. Similarly, Or the American representative in trade. However, described as the man in the shadow of Switzerland in the government of the United States by our colleagues.

A direct call – We have new details call

It was in Guy Parmelin that the senior official would actually recommend “strongly to call Trump personally”. Similarly, At the same time, “Greer employees have lobby with the State Secretariat for Economy (SECO) for direct contact.”

The telephone interview was set for July 31 at 8 p.m. we have new details call Similarly, Previously, the federal administration is carrying out various technical tests. Additionally, Similarly, The objective is to reach a customs agreement – a rate of 10 % is targeted. However, or even less – without the technical connection making the discussions fail.

“Why are you calling?” – We have new details call

Trump does not respond at the agreed time. In addition, It was not until 8:10 p.m., ten minutes late, that he won. Consequently, As already reported in several media. Meanwhile, the conversation begins with the thanks of Keller-Sutter for his congratulations on the occasion of the National Day of August 1. In addition, He sends them quickly, while saying he is impressed by the fact that the history of Switzerland dates back to 1291. Consequently, Then he changes your brutally.

“Why Are You we have new details call Calling?” (“Why are you calling?”) Says Trump dryly. However, Was he not informed by his own finance department that this call had been recommended?

Keller-Sutter replies that she wishes to evoke with him the joint declaration (“Joint understanding”) negotiated between the United States. Similarly, Switzerland:

She also thanks the American president for the collaboration of his sales representatives Greer, Bessent and Lutnick.

Trump’s reaction

It was then that Trump reacts dryly. Consequently, By hearing the names of his own representatives. In addition, he lets go: “I don’t care about them” (“I don’t care about them”). Therefore, He immediately addresses the 40 billion trade deficit, which he said can only be corrected we have new details call with a higher customs rate. Keller-Sutter replies that the agreement drawn up precisely deals with this point.

It adds that Switzerland has only nine million inhabitants, which logically leads to a high volume of exports. It also underlines that Switzerland does not impose any customs rights on industrial products. that it offers American companies almost complete market access: 99.3%.

It’s not Keller-Sutter, but Trump who sermates

These arguments had impressed Trump during the first call on April 9. This time, he sweeps them with a back of hand. “There is only a question of the trade deficit,” he said to the president. In this conversation. it is Trump who plays the lessons: he says that the Swiss surplus is equivalent to an annual loss of $ 40 billion for we have new details call the United States. Clearly, Switzerland is a rich country. It cannot continue like this.

Trump continues: “Switzerland takes advantage of the United States and has no respect for us.” He speaks of “theft”. Its monologue continues: faced with the deficit, a customs right of at least 30 or 35 % is necessary. The rate of 39 % finally decided is never mentioned during the exchange.

Keller-Sutter allows himself to evoke the question of gold. The precious metal trade distorts commercial statistics, she says. No matter to Trump that his own emissaries understood this point. “So even with gold, you make money!”, He simply retorts.

600 billion “cash” of the EU

The American president then talks about his agreement concluded a few days earlier with we have new details call the European Union. According to him, the EU will pay him $ 600 billion. Keller-Sutter refrains from commenting on this clearly false statement.

However, Trump continued to ensure publicly that the EU will actually pay 600 billion. In reality. it is not a financial transfer, but a commitment from the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen: European companies should invest this cumulative amount in the United States in the coming years. In short, let’s go back to exchange.

During his discussion with Keller-Sutter, Trump insists on this European success. “They pay me 600 Billion, what do you pay me?” (“They pay me 600 billion, how much do you pay me?”). The Swiss President anticipated the attack. She answers. without giving temporal precision:

Trump is not careful, or judges the amount insufficient. Keller-Sutter understands that no solution is possible that day. She then proposes that “our teams re -examine the agreement” and resume by point. Trump manifests little interest. He repeats his arguments: Switzerland causes a loss of 40 billion in the United States.

End after 34 minutes

Keller-Sutter says he has to put an end to the interview. Trump replies that he will talk to his team about it. She asks if her emissary Greer will receive a return. Trump ends up confirming. She tears him off a minimal commitment: that customs duties do not come into force on August 1. A delay is finally set for August 7. But this postponement will have been useless.

Mysterious 39%

The rate of 39% announced by Trump after the fact on social networks appeared without any logic. Never, during the conversation, there was talk of the rate of 1% that Keller-Sutter would have supposedly requested. A few days later, Trump said on American television: “I did not know this lady. She wants to pay 1%. »A pure invention.

Helene Budliger.Keystone

The mystery of the SMS received. by the Secretary of State Helene Budliger (Federal we have new details call Department of the Economy) on July 31 is also clarified. At 8:45 p.m., she received a message from the American finance department recommending to interrupt the call before the tone deteriorates.

But a minute earlier, at 8:44 p.m., Keller-Sutter and Trump had already hung up. (Adapt. Jah DG

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