Ems' immunity from Trump's tariffs is assured by Martullo to his investors.
In the world of international trade, the impact of U.S. tariffs on Swiss companies has been a topic of great interest. One such company, Ems-Chemie, has shown resilience in the face of these tariffs, thanks to strategic production and supply chain adjustments.
Ems-Chemie, a significant Swiss company with a significant interest in the U.S. market due to its ownership, has managed to maintain its business in the U.S. despite the 39% U.S. tariff on Swiss goods. The company achieves this by producing almost exclusively within the USA or selling specialty products exempt from these duties. This strategy limits direct tariff exposure, despite the challenging U.S. trade environment under Trump-era protectionist policies.
In the first half of 2025, about 50% of Ems-Chemie's sales were in North and South America, with roughly 80% of that in the USA. The company has no direct supply chain links between China and the U.S., thereby avoiding some tariff complications. Ems has expanded its U.S. site in Connecticut to increase local production capacity, enhancing supply chain flexibility and reducing tariff impact.
The company absorbs some duties through customer agreements or price concessions where local competition is strong. Relocation of production away from Europe is not planned; instead, expansion efforts focus on Asia. This approach aligns with a broader Swiss manufacturing trend where large enterprises with U.S. operations, like Ems-Chemie, sustain business by localizing production to mitigate tariff effects, unlike many small and medium-sized enterprises that face greater challenges due to fewer U.S.-based facilities.
The strategic management of U.S. tariff risks by Ems-Chemie is noteworthy. The company's CEO, Magdalena Martullo, who is also the CEO and majority shareholder, has shown foresight in navigating the challenging U.S. trade environment.
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[1] Source: Swiss Info, 2025 [2] Source: Swiss Business Federation, 2025
- Recognizing the challenges posed by U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods under the Trump-era protectionist policies, Ems-Chemie, a significant Swiss company, has strategically applied policies and legislation to minimize tariff exposure by producing domestically within the USA or selling specialty products exempt from these duties.
- The strategic management of tariff risks by Ems-Chemie, under the leadership of its CEO Magdalena Martullo, has been noteworthy in the realm of politics, general news, and policy-and-legislation, demonstrating foresight and resilience in the face of international trade complications.
