The week in Switzerland
Dear Swiss Abroad,
Temperatures are rising in Switzerland. Not only did the mercury hit 20°C for the first time this year on Tuesday (three weeks earlier than average), but some Swiss companies are insisting it’s payback time following the US Supreme Court’s decision to throw out Donald Trump’s tariff regime.
Unsurprisingly, Swiss companies and media welcomed the US Supreme Court’s decision on February 20 to strike down US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. But it’s not as though clarity and certainty suddenly reign: will foreign companies be refunded for customs surcharges? What line should the Swiss government take now?
“Ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti-American” – Trump’s reaction to the Supreme Court ruling was predictable. Few people, however, had predicted his next move: signing a new decree introducing a global customs duty of 10% (which he is working to raise to 15%). This new tariff entered into force on Tuesday and will replace existing ones for 150 days.
The Swiss authorities reacted with caution to the Supreme Court’s decision. The government simply said it “took note”, without further comment. Then on Wednesday it said “the principal objective of Switzerland’s negotiations with the US remains unchanged”. Switzerland is currently trying to do a deal with the US to secure the 15% tariff rate applied since November. Bern had previously managed to obtain this temporary reduction from the 39% rate Trump had initially sought to impose.
However, some Swiss companies aren’t adopting the caution of the Swiss authorities and are demanding a refund of the customs surcharges that have hit them. Stöckli (skiing), Logitech (IT) and CL international (luxury goods) have already taken steps, and other companies such as Breitling (watches) and Läderach (chocolate) have announced their intention to request a refund. In theory, the Trump administration could be forced to repay some $175 billion (CHF135 billion) in customs revenue. But the process promises to be very long and complicated.
“For the US, it is a sign of hope,” concluded the Tages-Anzeiger in Zurich, referring to the Supreme Court ruling. “For all those countries that were prepared to make deals with far-reaching concessions, the judgement should be a lesson. The rule of law is also defended by believing in it. If the countries – Switzerland included – had stood together against Trump’s questionable customs policy and taken the legal route instead of negotiating deals individually, they would be on the winning side today.”
Opponents of the initiative to reduce the radio and television licence fee in Switzerland have gained ground during campaigning, according to a poll ahead of federal votes on March 8.
The second poll by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), published on Wednesday, revealed that 54% of respondents are against a right-wing initiative to reduce the SBC radio and television licence fee from CHF335 ($435) to CHF200. Swissinfo is part of the SBC. The no camp has thus increased by two percentage points in just under a month.
Rejecting the initiative by 58%, the Swiss Abroad are more clearly against a reduction in the licence fee, but they don’t have to pay it.
The three other issues on which voters will have a say on March 8 are: individual taxation for married couples (52% support among all Swiss/60% among Swiss Abroad); the “cash is freedom” initiative (61%/65%); and the climate fund initiative (31%/39%).
Following the fire in a Crans-Montana nightclub on New Year’s Eve in which 41 people died, the Swiss government has announced that “in view of the extraordinary situation” a one-off solidarity contribution of CHF50,000 ($65,000) will be paid to each family of a person killed or hospitalised.
The solidarity contribution – on which parliament will vote in March – is intended to offer those affected quick and unbureaucratic support, help to bridge acute financial bottlenecks and provide them with short-term relief, the government said in a statement. The payment will be in addition to the emergency financial aid provided by canton Valais.
The government said it would provide funding of up to CHF20 million and would also organise a round table with the individuals and institutions concerned, with the aim of reaching an out-of-court settlement which “could spare victims and their relatives lengthy court proceedings with many uncertainties”. The government would also support the cantons with CHF8.5 million for victim support.
The government’s decision was “right – and necessary”, according to the Tages-Anzeiger in Zurich. “Ultimately, this is not primarily about money but about sending a signal. Many victims come from abroad and numerous families are still waiting for answers. It will take even longer for the wounds to heal. With the solidarity contribution, Switzerland is saying: ‘We stand by you. We will not leave you alone.’ No amount of money in the world can alleviate the emotional pain. But it can express respect.”
The mercury in Switzerland hit 20°C for the first time this year on Tuesday – three weeks earlier than the average.
Temperatures climbed above 20°C at the measuring station in Cevio, in the southern canton of Ticino, said the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss.
Between 1991 and 2020, the 20°C mark south of the Alps was not cracked on average until March 15. However, the “first 20” can vary considerably – it has also been exceeded much earlier. In 2013, temperatures above 20°C were measured on the south side of the Alps on January 4, whereas in 1941 the Locarno-Monti measuring station didn’t break 20°C until May 21.
The week ahead
In eastern Swiss valleys, March 1 – Chalandamarz – means a lot of noise. Schoolchildren walk through villages with bells and whips, wearing red pointed caps and blue blouses and singing spring songs.
On Monday the Swiss price watchdog Stefan Meierhans will hold his annual press conference, revealing what people complained to him about the most last year and looking ahead to 2026.
On Wednesday the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) will explain Switzerland’s strategy for quantum research and technology.
The International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights opens in Geneva on Friday. It runs until the following March 15.
On Sunday March 8 the Swiss go to the polls to decide on four issues, including whether to reduce the radio and television licence fee of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, Swissinfo’s parent company.
Edited by Samuel Jaberg/sb
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