Switzerland may need to get used to U.S. tariffs, a top Swiss trade negotiator said Tuesday. The statement follows a new deal that aligns Swiss tariffs with those of the European Union.
In August, President Donald Trump imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss goods, the highest in Europe. Last month, Bern and Washington agreed to reduce tariffs to 15%, matching the EU rate.
Helene Budliger Artieda, head of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), said she preferred U.S. tariffs to return to early-2025 levels.
However, she added that this outcome is unlikely soon. “I’m afraid we won’t get there, even if the Democrats return to power in the U.S. someday,” she told the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
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At the start of 2025, U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods averaged 2.5% to 3%. Budliger Artieda said Switzerland still benefits from exemptions for pharmaceuticals, gold, and coffee exports.
She estimated that Switzerland will face a trade-weighted tariff of about 7% and save roughly $6 billion per year compared with previous rates. “I think that’s a good deal,” she said.
Budliger Artieda expects the reduced tariffs to take effect in the first half of December. Delays arose from the U.S. government shutdown and the Thanksgiving holiday.
Switzerland continues to prioritise a close relationship with the EU. The country approved a series of agreements with Brussels, which will reach parliament early next year before a potential referendum.
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Budliger Artieda concluded, “For the export sector and the labour market, the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
