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SwissU.S. Tariff Deal Trims U.S. Duties as Food-Standard Fight Intensifies

Bern has paused a planned digital-services tax tied to the talks.

Overview

  • Switzerland’s draft agreement with the United States would cut U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%, offering exporters near-term relief while details remain unresolved.
  • The draft reportedly includes tariff-free quotas for U.S. beef and poultry, prompting concern over potential access for hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken.
  • Economy Minister Guy Parmelin said production and safety conditions for such imports have not been negotiated yet and remain to be decided.
  • Farmers’ group Uniterre, the Greens, and retailer Migros publicly rejected chemically treated poultry, with Migros saying it will not stock such products.
  • The Economics Ministry confirmed a pause on a planned tax on U.S. digital firms, and parties are pressing the government to disclose commitments as talks continue on industrial goods and auto safety standards.