Are you noticing or anticipating any changes in your life as a result of the tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump?
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I am an older Swiss expat who has been living in Thailand for a good 12 years. My reaction to this American president and his tariff policy is simple and to the benefit of Southeast Asia: I no longer buy anything that comes wholly or partly from the USA or is manufactured there. Examples: Gillette, Kleenex, Colgate, Californian wine, cola etc.....
Ich bin ein älterer Schweizer Expat, seit gut 12 Jahren in Thailand lebend. Meine Reaktion auf diesen amerikanischen Präsidenten und seine Zollpolitik ist simpel und zum Wohl für Südostasien: Es wird niichts mehr gekauft, das ganz oder teilweise aus den USA kommt oder dort hergestellt wird. Beispiele: Gillette, Kleenex, Colgate, kalifornischer Wein, Cola usw.....
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I lived with my family legally in the United States for eight years. I finished my education and acquired a good experience that was fundamental to reach important positions in Colombia in a Colombian-American company until my retirement in 2008 after returning many, many times to the North.____There were 50 or more years during which I appreciated the American system as respectful of the rights of all - locals and immigrants - without missing a few episodes of racism, nothing compared to the many positive experiences in my work, at university, in everyday life.____The present situation of uncertainty with President Trump's measures - against immigrants, against countries traditionally allied politically and commercially, against everything he does not consider to be to his far-right liking - has partly erased that image of admiration and affection I had for the United States for years.____ I do not consider it fair that because of these extreme positions we return to the time when Americans were not welcome in our countries. To lose that time when everyone wanted to visit and hopefully live and be educated in the United States. It is not fair to the ordinary American people who are mostly good people.
Viví con mi familia legalmente en Estados Unidos durante ocho años. Acabé de educarme y adquirí una buena experiencia que fue fundamental para llegar a importantes posiciones en Colombia en una empresa colombo-americana hasta mi retiro en 2008 después de regresar muchísimas veces al país del norte.____Fueron 50 o más años durante los cuales aprecié el sistema norteamericano como respetuoso de los derechos de todos -locales e inmigrantes- sin que hubieran faltado unos pocos episodios de racismo, nada en comparación con las muchísimas experiencias positivas en mi trabajo, en la universidad, en la vida diaria.____La presente situación de incertidumbre con las medidas del presidente Trump -contra inmigrantes, contra paises tradicionalmente aliados política y comercialmente, contra todo lo que no considere de su gusto de ultraderecha- ha borrado en parte esa imagen de admiración y cariño que tuve por años por Estados Unidos.____No considero justo que por culpa de esas posiciones extremas se regrese al tiempo cuando los norteamericanos no eran bienvenidos en nuestros países. Que se pierda esa época cuando todo el mundo quería visitar y, ojalá, vivir y educarse en Estados Unidos. No es justo con el pueblo norteamericano del común que es gente buena en su gran mayoría.
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@Olmedo Ochoa
Thank you for your contribution. You make an important point here: The image of Americans abroad is currently suffering greatly. Resentment is growing in many countries. It is important to differentiate between the government and the population - as with any other country.
Danke für Ihren Beitrag. Sie weisen hier auf einen wichtigen Punkt hin: Das Bild der Amerikanerinnen und Amerikaner leidet im Ausland zurzeit stark. In vielen Ländern nehmen die Ressentiments zu. Dabei ist es wichtig, zwischen Regierung und Bevölkerung zu unterscheiden - wie bei jedem anderen Land auch.
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Good I live in Chile in South America we have a style of economy imposed by a dictatorship that makes us impervious to Trump as our internal tariffs our prices our taxes put us among the most expensive countries in the world the most expensive in South America and very expensive cost of living in Chile by corruption by coluciones by double tax on gasoline for example in gasoline VAT is paid and paid another tax that put a socialist government 30 years ago and we still do not remove that tax Then that Trump put us double tax nothing to Chile It does not affect it.
Buenas vivo en Chile en Sudamérica nosotros tenemos un estilo de economía impuesto por una dictadura que nos hace impermeables a Trump ya que nuestros aranceles internos nuestros precios nuestros impuestos nos ponen entre los países más caros del mundo el más caro en Sudamérica y carísimo el costo de vida en Chile por corrupciones por coluciones por doble impuesto en la gasolina por ejemplo en la gasolina se paga el IVA y se paga otro impuesto que puso un gobierno socialista hace 30 años y que aún no nos sacan ese impuestos Entonces qué Trump nos ponga el doble de impuesto de nada a Chile No le afecta
Giannis:____Pretty much the group is talking in generalities. There are no specifics about which drugs may be overpriced which is probably the real issue, I will give one example. Genentech is a part of Roche. Genentech makes a drug called Rituxan or rituximab. ____In 2015, it was the only drug which worked with bringing ITP under control. In 2020, the same 4 doses was administered again. It worked again.____I was based in Camp Lejeune NC where the water was contaminated. The blood specialists say is the cause of my issue. Fifteen months out of 24. I was exposed to the is water by drinking it and showering in it as a US Marine.____Ok, there is the background. ____In the US, Rituxan pre-insurance claim and on the hospital bill lists at $28.000 per dose in 2020. It also worked in 2015. This is an older drug to which costs have been paid by now. The question to ask is whether this drug should continue to cost so much? Especially when much of the research was covered by US tax breaks and probably subsidies? It should be asked for each drug.
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@run75441
These are legitimate questions. But the main question for me is: how exactly does the final price come about? From the producer to the patient, medicines pass through several stages, all of which profit from them. This should first be analysed so that we can see who earns how much in this chain.
Das sind berechtigte Fragen. Die Hauptfrage lautet aber für mich: Wie genau kommt der Endpreis zustande? Vom Produzent zum Patienten durchgehen Medikamente mehrere Stationen, die alle davon profitieren. Das müsste zuerst beleuchtet werden, damit man sieht, wer in dieser Kette wieviel verdient.
I am not Swiss. Since 1999 I have worked for a Swiss family owned company in the USA that works with Swiss manufacturers. We orovide engineering, sales, and logistic support by having custom, precision made components made at our partners in CH and selling them to our customers in the USA and elsewhere. Most of our business are components that go into medical devices and surgical implants. Our Swiss partners almost all have a large part of their business in the watch industry. ____I have been to Switzerland regularly for decades, probably
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@KenUSA1970
Thank you for your contribution. Do you already see changes with the 39 per cent tariffs
Danke für Ihren Beitrag. Sehen Sie bereits Änderungen mit den 39 Prozent Zöllen
Switzerland could demonstrate its neutrality, by arresting Putin AFTER he signs the peace agreement in Geneva in September. Arguably this Switzerland could demand zero tariffs from Trump and he would have no choice.
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@JustTheFacts
That would be a Switzerland that you don't know like this ;)
Das wäre eine Schweiz, die man so nicht kennt ;)
It is too bad. Too bad. Good luck!
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@Kundig
See a way out
Sehen Sie einen Ausweg
Well, knowing Mr. Trump's love for Golf courses could we not just offer him one? Recently I walked in the Buergenstock on Lake Lucerne. A sign caught my attention: 'Beware of flying Golf Balls'. I am sure the Qatari owners of the Buergenstock Resort could be persuaded to part with it and to permit us to present that Golf Course to Donald. That should get our rates down from 39 percent to 10.
I, personally, will not be affected by the implementation of the 39% tariff on Swiss products as I am a Swiss abroad living in Hong Kong. However, I am not pleased as to how the negotiations were handled by the Swiss government. We only need to look at the countries that have successfully rebuffed US hegemony. China, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Brazil and even the EU. I would have preferred to see a much tougher approach being taken during the negotiations. I agree that the US market for Swiss goods is extremely important, but so is it to China. The Chinese have not let the US bully them around. Switzerland may be small, but we are a great country and deserve more respect. I look back at when Christoph Blocher was Federal Councillor. It would have been better to have him speaking over the phone with Trump regarding tariff negotiations. I do hope that the Swiss government can navigate the rough seas that it is now in. We, Swiss are depending on it. Regarding my two sons, who are both living in the US, I believe they will be much more affected by Trump's mass implementation of tariffs and what effect it will have on the US economy. In the meantime we should prepare for the worst and strive for the best. I wish all Swiss living in Switzerland well. May God bless you.
@Paul_Hiking_Happiness
As a Chinese living in Switzerland, I totally agree with you that Switzerland should man up as well or change market, there are other countries which appreciate Swiss quality products.
The saying goes "it's dangerous to be America's enemy but fatal to be America's friend." I don't see how Switzerland would be surprised about something like this happening after all the shenanigans America has pulled. It's America first and USA gives two-hoots about Europe or any other country for that matter except maybe one and we all probably know which country that is. Switzerland even gave up its banking secrecy and still negotiating to purchase worthless military weapons from USA that have been known to falter. USA is making Europe as a whole look like fools. If Switzerland had been smart they would have been heavily trading with BRICS especially Russia (but they refused to remain neutral in the Ukraine conflict) but they can't because USA doesn't want them too. It's embarrassing IMHO
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@ProperD
Trade with Russia was not significant even before the major invasion. The other BRICS countries (with the exception of China) also only account for a small proportion of Switzerland's foreign trade. In economic terms, such a strategy would therefore have been rather questionable.__The fact that Switzerland is not neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, and that this should also be the case because of the USA, is primarily a Russian view. But Russia is also a party to the war.
Der Handel mit Russland war schon vor der Grossinvasion nicht bedeutend. Auch die übrigen BRICS-Staaten machen (mit Ausnahme von China) für den Schweizer Aussenhandel nur einen kleinen Teil aus. Wirtschaftlich wäre so eine Strategie also eher fragwürdig gewesen.__Dass die Schweiz im Krieg Russland-Ukraine nicht neutral ist, und dass das auch noch wegen den USA der Fall sein soll, ist vor allem eine russische Ansicht. Aber Russland ist auch Kriegspartei.
@Giannis Mavris
That's what I'm saying....Switzerland needs to start boosting trade with other countries including BRICS nations. The USA is done and can't be trusted. In addition, Switzerland made themselves look like vassals of the US by following behind the EU and USA towards Russia. Why do this with Russia when USA has not only broken international laws they've become a rogue nation but it's the USA so it's OK but Russia....no we have to place sanctions on Russia. Switzerland along with EU have been relying on the US in insurmountable ways which has turned out to be useless and dangerous. ____Trump placed tariffs on Switzerland without a second thought and they'll make them even higher "if they want to." I think Switzerland had better start looking elsewhere or the country will be in a detrimental decline and the US won't be there to save it. It's time to change and start looking elsewhere for trade, partnerships, friendly negotiations, and trust...like the rest of the world is doing. ____By the way...BRICS makes up roughly half the world's population and more than 41% of world GDP (PPP). It's an economic powerhouse, Just think of the many trade deals Switzerland could arrange. It's time to move on from the USA as a reliable partner like the rest of the world is doing.
It is clear that Parmelin and Keller-Sutter (and possibly others in the Swiss administration) mis-read the US tariff initiative as it effects Switzerland - why this is so is still an open-question. __However, reading the body language of the two people involved at various press conferences on this topic, it seems there was not much agreement between the two about how to approach the US.__Switzerland is not alone as many people/countries have done the same. Stating this 'tariff issue' is unfair, immoral, etc. misses the point completely, the fact is Swiss industry/pharma need the US more than vice versa and the sooner everyone realises this fact, the better for all people/countries involved. __Can this method be called unfair? That depends on one's point of view. The US would state that it was unfair for countries to take advantage of the US in the past when tariffs were imposed on US goods entering foreign trading partners but not imposed on goods entering the US from those same countries. It is difficult to argue against that point. __Fair trade also sounds better than free trade - this is all about fairness and standing up for oneself. If Switzerland has something unique to offer the US, now would be the time to produce it/them....__QED.
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@goldenray@aol.com
What is certainly true is that Swiss pharma needs the US market. But the prices for the products are set in the USA, which is why the argument of retaliation does not make sense. The same applies to tariffs: Switzerland recently had practically 0% tariffs on American products. These are the two main reasons why the 39% tariffs are so incomprehensible here.__What could happen next for Switzerland? That is currently unclear, and the government and companies are weighing up their options. Here is something to read (in English): https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/trumps-tariffs-expose-weakness-of-switzerlands-economic-independence/89818791
Was sicher stimmt, ist dass die Schweizer Pharma den US-Markt braucht. Aber die Preise für die Produkte werden in den USA festgesetzt, darum ist das Argument der Vergeltung nicht nachvollziehbar. Das Gleiche gilt auch für die Zölle: Die Schweiz hatte zuletzt praktisch 0% Zölle auf amerikanische Produkte. Das sind die zwei Hauptgründe, weshalb die 39%-Zölle hier so unverständlich sind.__Wie es für die Schweiz weitergehen könnte? Das ist zurzeit unklar, Regierung und Unternehmen wägen ihre Optionen ab. Hier etwas zum Nachlesen (auf Englisch): https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/trumps-tariffs-expose-weakness-of-switzerlands-economic-independence/89818791
@Giannis Mavris
@Giannis Marvis____Pharmaceutical prices in the United States are freely priced. There are no direct government controls on pharmaceutical pricing. ____Your statement "But the prices for the products are set in the USA" implies that the US government sets pharmaceutical prices. This is not accurate. ____According to this Swissinfo article Americans pay 2.5 higher prices for pharmaceutical drugs than Europeans. Many Americans struggle to afford medication. The US targeted Switzerland with high tariffs primarily because of its pharmaceutical industry. ____https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/drug-pricing/us-sets-deadline-for-novartis-and-other-pharma-firms-to-lower-prices/89770314
SWI SWISSINFO.CH
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@Anne7
No, that's not what my statement implied, but perhaps that's due to the automatic translation. And why the American president has really imposed high tariffs on Switzerland is still not clear to me - and many others in Switzerland. This is also due to the way the White House communicates.
Nein, das hat meine Aussage nicht impliziert, aber vielleicht liegt das an der automatischen Übersetzung. Und warum der amerikanische Präsident die Schweiz wirklich mit hohen Zöllen belegt hat, ist mir - und vielen anderen in der Schweiz - hingegen noch immer nicht klar. Das liegt auch an der Art, wie das Weisse Haus kommuniziert.
@Giannis Mavris
Trump imposed high tariffs on Switzerland to pressure Swiss pharmaceutical companies to lower the exorbitant prices they charge Americans. Switzerland is a small, isolated, and politically weak country that is an easy target. The reason that the EU nations have only a 15% tariff from the US is because the EU is much more economically and politically stronger than Switzerland.
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