Swiss president heads to Washington for trade talks

ISTANBUL

The Swiss president and economy chief are heading to Washington on Tuesday to discuss new US tariffs on their country announced last week, which shocked the Swiss government by reaching heights of 39%.

"The President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, and the Vice President of the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin, are to fly to the United States on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, to facilitate meetings with the US authorities at short notice and hold talks with a view to improving the tariff situation for Switzerland," the government announced in a statement.

"The aim is to present a more attractive offer to the United States in a bid to lower the level of reciprocal tariffs for Swiss exports, taking US concerns into account," the statement said.

The new tariffs, announced by Washington last Thursday, would mean that nearly 60% of Swiss exports to the US face the higher tariffs, said a Swiss statement on Monday.

This puts Switzerland at a "distinct disadvantage" compared to other trading partners with similar economic profiles, like the EU with 15%, Britain with 10%, and Japan with 15%.