Swiss President Urgently Travels to Washington Over Tariffs/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has made an urgent trip to Washington, D.C., seeking to prevent the implementation of steep new U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods. The tariffs, set at 39%, would hit Swiss exports harder than those from the EU or UK. Key industries like chocolate and watchmaking are particularly at risk.
Swiss Tariff Crisis Quick Looks
- President Karin Keller-Sutter leads urgent Swiss delegation to Washington
- U.S. set to impose 39% tariffs on Swiss goods starting Thursday
- New rates far exceed tariffs on EU (15%) and UK (10%) products
- Affected industries include luxury watches, chocolate, pharmaceuticals
- Keller-Sutter criticized for delayed response and expired negotiation window
- Economy Minister Guy Parmelin accompanies president on U.S. mission
- Swiss government held emergency session Monday ahead of trip
- Trip aims to “facilitate meetings” and improve tariff terms
- Trump’s administration seeks stricter trade terms across multiple countries
- Outcome of trip could reshape future U.S.-Swiss economic relations
Deep Look: Switzerland Scrambles to Prevent U.S. Tariffs on Key Exports
GENEVA — In a high-stakes diplomatic push, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter traveled to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, heading a delegation that aims to stop punishing new U.S. tariffs set to take effect this week. The move follows a surprise announcement from the Trump administration that it would impose a 39% import tax on Swiss goods beginning Thursday, unless an agreement is reached.
The steep tariff hike is more than double the rate applied to European Union goods (15%) and nearly quadruple that on British products (10%), sparking panic across Switzerland’s renowned export sectors, including luxury watchmaking, gourmet chocolates, and pharmaceuticals.
A Race Against the Clock
President Keller-Sutter, who also serves as Switzerland’s finance minister, is joined by Economy Minister Guy Parmelin in an emergency effort to avert what many business leaders have described as an economic shock to Swiss exporters.
According to a statement from the Swiss government, the trip was “arranged at short notice” and aims to “facilitate meetings with U.S. authorities” to secure a more favorable tariff arrangement.
The diplomatic scramble comes just days after Keller-Sutter failed to secure a breakthrough in a last-ditch phone call with President Donald Trump before the U.S. tariff deadline expired on August 1. That lapse has drawn criticism from domestic media and trade groups who argue the government waited too long to act.
Economic Fallout Looms
The potential fallout from the new tariffs is significant. Switzerland is a major exporter of luxury and precision goods to the United States, and many companies now face pricing themselves out of the market.
Industries bracing for the hit include:
- Watchmaking: Brands like Rolex, Omega, and Patek Philippe are expected to see U.S. retail prices soar
- Confectionery: Swiss chocolates, already a premium product, may become even less accessible to U.S. consumers
- Pharmaceuticals: While less affected due to regulatory structures, any tariff hikes could still complicate supply chains
Swiss trade officials say billions of francs in exports are at risk, and the government has vowed to pursue all diplomatic channels to mitigate the impact.
Emergency Measures and Political Pressure
Switzerland’s seven-member Federal Council (executive branch) convened a rare emergency session on Monday to address the crisis, ultimately greenlighting the trip to Washington.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, stating that it is “keen to pursue talks with the United States on the tariff situation.”
Behind the scenes, trade envoys have been lobbying U.S. counterparts through diplomatic and business channels in hopes of reopening negotiations.
Critics, however, argue that the Swiss administration miscalculated Trump’s protectionist posture, underestimating the risk of abrupt trade policy changes and waiting too long to escalate diplomatic engagement.
Trump’s Trade Agenda: Targeting Allies
The surprise tariff announcement reflects the broader trajectory of Trump’s aggressive trade agenda during his second term. With a focus on reshaping America’s global economic footprint, the administration has prioritized rebalancing trade with allies and competitors alike.
Switzerland, historically viewed as a neutral and cooperative economic partner, now finds itself caught in the same crosshairs as much larger economies.
In recent months, the U.S. has also clashed with Canada, Germany, and South Korea over trade imbalances, leaving many countries scrambling to renegotiate terms in Washington’s favor.
Diplomatic Stakes and Industry Anxiety
The outcome of this emergency mission could have long-term implications for Swiss-American relations. A failure to reach a deal might force Swiss companies to shift focus away from the U.S. market, seek alternate trade alliances, or absorb major financial losses.
Meanwhile, affected industries have warned of potential layoffs, reduced output, and consumer price hikes if the tariff regime is enforced.
As President Keller-Sutter and Minister Parmelin attempt to engage Trump administration officials in last-minute negotiations, observers both in Bern and abroad are watching closely.
A senior Swiss official familiar with the trip noted, “This is not just about chocolate and watches — this is about preserving an entire trade relationship.”
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