The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Swiss economics minister doesn’t fear exodus of companies

Economics Minster Schneider-Ammann (right) and Nestlé Vice President Marco Settembrini
Schneider-Ammann (right) is holding talks with various business leaders on the sidelines of this year's WEF meeting in Davos. Among them was Nestlé Vice President Marco Settembri Keystone

Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann has downplayed concerns that Swiss-based American firms might relocate to the United States in the wake of tax reform.

Speaking in Davos ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump, Schneider-Ammann said that if he were head of an American company he would think twice before such a relocation, since there is no guarantee the tax breaks will still be in place a few years from now.

Echoing similar statements to the Swiss media at the weekend, Schneider-Ammann added that Washington had every right to woo American companies, and competition was welcome.

But he said Switzerland could offer an unbeatably stable political system, along with fresh plans to reform the corporate tax system following voters’ rejection of an overhaul last year.

In an interview with the Swiss News Agency, SDA-ATS, Schneider-Ammann also said a planned ministerial meeting of members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Davos on Thursday would try to put negotiations on multilateral trade accords back on track.

He said it was a difficult task to take in the interests of all the WTO member states.

More

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Swiss economy at the mercy of a boomerang effect

More

Economists slash Swiss GDP growth forecasts

This content was published on Following an increase in exports to the United States in the first quarter, the Swiss economy is bracing itself for a tariff backlash.

Read more: Economists slash Swiss GDP growth forecasts

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR