“We are too honest”: Switzerland stunned by new US customs duties
Starting this Thursday, August 7, Swiss products will be hit with a 39% increase in new customs duties imposed by Donald Trump. The Swiss press is attempting an initial estimate of the potential damage to the country's economy and castigating the naivety of its negotiators.
In Swiss business circles, cold sweats are beginning to turn into outright panic following the White House's announcement on August 1 that it would raise customs duties on Swiss products to 39%, compared to the 31% initially planned at the beginning of April.
Karin Keller-Sutter, the Swiss president in 2025, and Guy Parmelin, the country's economy minister, arrived urgently in Washington on Wednesday, August 6 , "to arrange meetings with American authorities" to discuss customs duties, reports the French-language Swiss daily 24 heures . For the time being, no meeting has been arranged with an American delegation, and the Oval Office tenant's comments do not give cause for optimism.
"I spoke to the Swiss Prime Minister. I didn't even know her," Donald Trump said contemptuously in an interview with CBC on Tuesday, even mistaking Karin Keller-Sutter's position. Blick noted that "a telephone conversation had already taken place in April" between the two leaders, to discuss customs duties. The Swiss delegation declined to comment on the businessman's new statements for fear of derailing the discussions.
Courrier International
