Tariffs: Swiss minister talks with US trade representative
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Tariffs: Swiss minister talks with US trade representative
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin had talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer today. According to Parmelin, the dialogue was constructive.
During the videoconference, which lasted about half an hour, the two interlocutors discussed bilateral trade and investment, Parmelin explained. According to him, there is a new climate in relations between Bern and Washington. However, when questioned by the Keystone-SDA agency, the economics ministry did not provide details on the next steps on the agenda for continuing the dialogue with the US.
On Tuesday, representatives of Swiss companies had met American President Donald Trump on their own initiative to discuss customs issues. Trump then instructed Greer to continue the dialogue with the Swiss government, paving the way for a possible revival of trade relations, according to the ministry.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) also contributed to the preparations for the meeting. While recalling that customs negotiations fall within the competence of the government, it welcomed the private sector’s commitment in this direction.
Switzerland is particularly affected by Trump’s trade policy. At the beginning of August, Trump had announced punitive tariffs of 39% on numerous Swiss products, one of the highest rates in the world imposed by the US on its trading partners. The measure hits the export-oriented Swiss economy hard.
Adapted from Italian by DeepL/ac
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