Posted on 11/11/2025 8:27:38 PM PST by SeekAndFind
The U.S. and Switzerland are getting close to signing a trade deal to lower tariffs of 39% that President Donald Trump slapped on the country in August.
The president confirmed on Monday that White House officials were “working on a deal to get the tariffs a little lower.”
“I haven’t set any number, but we’re going to be working on something to help Switzerland,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
“We hit Switzerland very hard. But we want Switzerland to remain successful,” he added, saying the country had been a “very good ally.”
The tariff on Swiss exports could be cut to 15%, matching the rate that was imposed on EU exports to the U.S., according to various media reports citing sources close to the talks. Bloomberg reported that a deal could be finalized within weeks.
“We are not commenting on the ongoing discussions,” a spokesperson at Switzerland’s economy ministry told CNBC, adding that Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin “is in regular contact with the relevant authorities in the U.S., including USTR Jamieson Greer.”
CNBC has contacted the White House for further comment and is awaiting a response.
The duty was met with consternation in Switzerland, whose key exports include watches, jewelry, machinery, chocolate, electronics and chemical and pharmaceutical products. Shares of Swiss firms Swatch Group and Richemont traded higher at the market open on Tuesday.
High-profile Swiss businesses have been outspoken on the damage the tariff was wreaking, with the CEO of Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling telling CNBC that the duty was “horrible” for Switzerland.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
Trump created the pressure necessary to force change.
Had he not been a “mad man” with tariffs, nothing would have changed and in three years the US would still be getting it in the rear.
I don’t think it’s his goal to keep these tariffs in place forever, I tend to believe Trump is about free trade and sees the benefits. (((BUT))) he wants fair trade. He doesn’t want us competing where others impose 30% or even more backdoor taxes that they just give another name besides “tariff,” while we only charge of pewney 2.5% - 6%.
I suspect that one by one, as deals are made and things become a bit more fair for the US, these “mad man” tariffs will go away.
what do they have other than... uh... swiss cheese and knives?
don’t think people are in the market for swiss guards...
hmmm and sure i love to ski Mont Blanc, but you can’t import that.
Well, there’s always “Swiss Miss Instant Cocoa”.
Has a tarriff been put on that yet?
How about a Swiss Watch, but one made out of Lindt Dark Chocolate?
Switzerland, whose key exports include watches, jewelry, machinery, chocolate, electronics and chemical and pharmaceutical products.
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the deal will be either that these companies create factories in the USA or switzerland grants the USA money to invest as it pleases and switzerland gets a piece of the profits.
Change from what? Did the Swiss have tariffs on US products higher than tariffs on imported Swiss products? Or did the Trump administration pick 39% out of a hat?
"AI" says:
"Overview of Swiss Tariffs on U.S. Imports:
In 2023, Switzerland abolished tariffs on industrial products imported into the country. This move aimed to enhance trade relations and stimulate economic growth. Key Points Tariff Abolition: As of January 1, 2024, Switzerland eliminated tariffs on industrial goods, which was expected to provide significant economic benefits. Trade Balance: The (2023) trade relationship between the U.S. and Switzerland is relatively balanced. The U.S. has a surplus in services, while Switzerland has a surplus in goods exports."
Need "targeted" tariffs not blanket "by country" tariffs that catch products that will never be produced in large #'s in the USA like bananas, coffee and cocoa beans. Stick to larger tariffs on steel, vehicles, aluminum, silicon chips/IC's, machine tools and other items lost to cheap overseas labor. Only country deserving of a "blanket tariff" is China, and it needs to be 200%-300% to counteract their cheap labor and subsidized/cheaper polluting industries. Otherwise USA corporations/importers will stay in China.
It’s about time we finally took a hard line with those darned Swiss. No chickening out!
“The only reason the Swiss make chocolate is so we don’t associate them with blood diamonds and Nazi gold” — Sean Lock.
And people on the left say tariffs only hurt us and Countries like China are fine.
If Switzerland is being hurt so bad over a few items, you know China is struggling.
Now I might be able to sell Swiss grinding equipment to companies that are trying to bring back manufacturing to the US for only 30% more. Probably not and bringing back manufacturing to the US is a pipe dream. Been hearing that bullshit for the last 30 years.
Stuff your pipe up your arse.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/switzerland/
11% of exports go to USA, but
...gold, packaged medicine, vaccines, nitrogen compounds, base metal watches (2023)...
They export lots of medicine and vaccines.
Better start making medicines in the USA, and stop gouging the US Consumers
Sheesh . And Laura loomer is the enemy of Israel and a self hating Jewish anti semite for mainstreaming Fuentes and calling the end of aid to Israel. Hey let’s get small.
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