Government Federal Councillor Parmelin talks with the US Trade Representative
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin has held talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The conversation was very constructive, according to X.
07.11.2025, 18:02
SDA
They talked about trade and investment, Parmelin announced on the online portal X on Friday after the half-hour video call in the afternoon. There is a new dynamic in bilateral relations - thanks to US President Donald Trump. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) said in response to an inquiry that it was not yet possible to say what the next steps would be.
Representatives of Swiss companies had met with Trump on their own initiative on Tuesday to discuss customs issues. Trump then instructed his trade representative Greer to continue the talks with the Swiss government. This was the door opener, so to speak, according to the EAER.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) was involved in the preparations for Tuesday's meeting. In principle, the Federal Council was responsible for customs negotiations, but it welcomed the corresponding commitment of the companies. Even at this stage, it was reported that Parmelin was still in regular contact with the relevant authorities in the USA, including Greer.
Switzerland is particularly affected by the Republican US President's protectionist trade policy. At the beginning of August, Trump announced punitive tariffs of 39% on numerous Swiss products - one of the highest rates worldwide that the USA has imposed on its trading partners. The measure is hitting the Swiss economy hard.
