Overview
- On July 31, the White House announced a 39% ad valorem tariff on Swiss imports effective August 7 under President Trump’s broader global trade measures.
- Switzerland’s Federal Council said it remains in contact with U.S. authorities and is striving for a negotiated solution to avert the punitive levy.
- Swiss trade ministers, including President Karin Keller-Sutter and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin, visited Washington in early July but have not secured President Trump’s approval on a draft bilateral framework.
- The levy threatens Switzerland’s export-driven economy by targeting its pharmaceutical, manufacturing and watchmaking industries, which accounted for 65 billion Swiss francs of exports to the United States in 2024.
- Major Swiss firms such as Roche and Novartis have pledged $50 billion and $23 billion respectively in U.S. investments, with Barry Callebaut and ABB also announcing expansion plans.