Edward McMullen, the United States ambassador to Switzerland, says he intends to step down at the end of 2020 and return to the private sector.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/sb
“I told president Trump that it was an honour for me to participate in US-Swiss relations during this mandate. But I am an entrepreneur, not a politician,” McMullen told the SonntagsBlick External linknewspaper on Sunday.
The US ambassador says he wants to return to the private sector after the US elections in November 2020. McMullen used to run an advertising and corporate public affairs firm in South Carolina.
McMullen, the US ambassador for Switzerland and Liechtenstein, officially took up his ambassador post in Bern in November 2017. In 2016, the political strategist helped steer Trump’s victory in the Republican primary in South Carolina before becoming a member of Trump’s transition team, and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
In February, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis carried out a two-day trip to the USExternal link, where he met US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton in Washington. Cassis was upbeat about a future free-trade agreement between Switzerland and US.
“I would definitely stay a few more months if a free-trade agreement was in a crucial phase and the president wished me to do so,” McMullen commented.
The US is Switzerland’s second most important trading partner, behind Germany. Switzerland has been courting the US with the aim of kick-starting free trade negotiations that were attempted in 2006 but failed to reach agreement primarily over Switzerland’s stance on agriculture.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Why the flurry of activity in US-Swiss relations?
This content was published on
Switzerland is suddenly featuring front and centre on the United States’ diplomatic radar. There are several possible explanations.
US ambassador says jihadists should be tried in country of origin
This content was published on
While the Federal Council has decided not to repatriate jihadists with Swiss nationality, the US ambassador to Switzerland disagrees.
US secretary of state on closer relations with Switzerland
This content was published on
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has offered insight into Swiss-American relations — and why they have become remarkably closer.
This content was published on
Swiss President Ueli Maurer’s meeting with Donald Trump was a unique bilateral event at a moment of increasing tensions between the US and Iran.
This content was published on
American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has paid a private visit to the Swiss capital, Bern, ahead of attending the Bilderberg forum in Montreux.
This content was published on
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned Switzerland about closer ties with China, telling the country to "keep its eyes wide open”.
US ambassador: free trade deal would be ‘a good thing’
This content was published on
Ed McMullen, the United States ambassador to Switzerland, has encouraged Switzerland to start fresh free trade negotiations with the US.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.