Trade Minister of Economic Affairs Parmelin: "We had a very good conversation"
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin was optimistic after the visit to Washington and the talks on tariffs. "We had a very good discussion and were able to clarify almost all points," the Federal Councillor told "Radio SRF".
14.11.2025, 00:28
14.11.2025, 00:43
SDA
As soon as these points have been finally clarified, further information will be provided. According to information from the US, the Minister of Economic Affairs only appeared briefly before the media for scheduling reasons. A US official involved in the talks also spoke of a "very positive" meeting, as reported by the AFP news agency. According to this anonymous source, the Swiss were "very aware of the need to reduce trade imbalances". Corresponding plans had been presented, the official added, suggesting that tariffs on Swiss products could be lowered.
Washington expects Bern to lower certain tariffs on US products and to reduce non-tariff trade barriers, such as regulations that could make market access more difficult for goods from the US.
"Talks at various levels"
Together with State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda, Parmelin traveled to Washington on Thursday night. Talks "at various levels" took place there in the afternoon (local time), said Markus Spörndli, spokesman for the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency.
Among others, Parmelin met the US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, as the EAER announced on Wednesday. This was Parmelin's third meeting with the US authorities in just a few months to negotiate the 39 percent tariffs on Swiss products that have been in force since August.
