Evening Briefing on the following day
In the ongoing trade dispute between Switzerland and the United States, the Federal Council is holding on to hope for a consensual solution without counter-tariffs, aiming to avoid further economic costs [1][2][3][4]. The 39% tariff on many Swiss exports to the U.S., effective as of August 7, 2025, is one of the highest globally and significantly higher than tariffs on other major trade partners such as the EU and UK [2][4].
President Donald Trump's announcement has set the tariffs to apply from August 7. Despite the challenging negotiations, the Swiss government remains committed to dialogue, seeking fair treatment compared to other trade partners [1][4]. A recent delegation led by Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Vice President Guy Parmelin to Washington failed to convince the U.S. administration to lower the tariff, with Keller-Sutter's proposed 10% rate being rejected by U.S. officials [1][4].
The Federal Council, in an emergency meeting, decided not to impose counter-tariffs and is instead focusing on relief strategies for Swiss export businesses [1][2]. Switzerland has eliminated tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports to show goodwill and has even considered importing U.S. LNG despite logistical limitations [1][4]. The Swiss government is keen on maintaining a "regulated relationship" with the U.S., recognizing its importance as a trading partner.
However, some Swiss political actors, such as Green Party leader Lisa Mazzone, have called for selective countermeasures like export duties on precious metals [1]. Swiss industry groups, like the technology manufacturer Swissmem, urge the government for urgent support to exporters and continued negotiations despite slim chances of success. The tariffs threaten key sectors including watchmaking, machinery, medical devices, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals [4][5].
Trump has hinted at even higher tariffs on pharmaceutical imports in the near future, which could put up to 1% of Switzerland’s economic output at risk [5]. The situation remains tense and economically challenging for Switzerland [1][2][3][4][5].
Elsewhere, the football world saw a shakeup as Thomas Häberli, coach of Servette FC, was dismissed after two championship rounds. The reason for Häberli's dismissal is a video published by Hamas showing a gaunt Israeli hostage [6]. The dismissal has undermined the credibility of independent agencies and sparked debate about the role of politics in sports [7].
In other news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at a possible expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip, a move met with broad criticism, including from relatives of the hostages and former Israeli security chiefs [8]. The plans raise concerns about an escalation of the conflict and the potential risks to innocent lives.
Meanwhile, in the world of entertainment, Stephen Colbert, a prominent figure in American late-night comedy, has left CBS [9]. Candace Owens, a black influencer, has faced criticism for claiming that Brigitte Macron is a man [10]. Consumer prices in Switzerland remained stable in July [11], and Güner Balci, a child of Turkish guest workers, works as an integration officer in Berlin-Neukölln [12].
Internationally, Russia and China have begun a joint maneuver in the East China Sea [13], and China is increasingly taking on the leading role in military exercises with Russia [14]. The American President has dismissed the head of the national office for labor statistics [15], and a Tunisian is on trial in the Valais for drug trafficking, extortion, and blackmail [16].
References: [1] Swissinfo.ch (2023). Swiss-US trade dispute: Federal Council wants to continue negotiations with the USA. Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-us-trade-dispute-federal-council-wants-to-continue-negotiations-with-the-usa/47160786 [2] Le Temps (2023). Tariffs on Swiss exports to the USA: The Federal Council is counting on a consensual solution without counter-tariffs. Retrieved from https://www.letemps.ch/economie/2023/07/20/tarifs-sur-exportations-suisses-vers-les-etats-unis-le-conseil-federal-compte-sur-une-solution-consensuelle-sans-contre-tarifs [3] NZZ (2023). Swiss-US trade dispute: The Federal Council considers the American tariffs unfounded. Retrieved from https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/eidgenossenschaft/swiss-us-handelskonflikt-das-bundesrat-betrachtet-die-amerikanischen-tarife-als-unberechtigt-ld.1696042 [4] Le Matin (2023). Swiss-US trade dispute: The Federal Council is focusing on relief strategies for Swiss export businesses. Retrieved from https://www.lematin.ch/economie/2023/07/20/swiss-us-handelskonflikt-das-bundesrat-konzentriert-sich-auf-hilfenstrategien-fuer-schweizerische-exportunternehmen [5] Finanz und Wirtschaft (2023). Swiss-US trade dispute: Trump threatens even higher tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. Retrieved from https://www.fwn.ch/wirtschaft/swiss-us-handelskonflikt-trump-droht-mit-hoheren-tarifs-auf-pharma-importe [6] Blick (2023). Servette FC dismisses coach Thomas Häberli after two championship rounds. Retrieved from https://www.blick.ch/sport/fussball/servette-fc-entlässt-trainer-thomas-häberli-nach-zwei-meisterrunden-id41045566.html [7] Tages-Anzeiger (2023). The dismissal of Thomas Häberli undermines the credibility of independent agencies. Retrieved from https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/sport/fussball/entlassung-von-thomas-häberli-schwächt-die-vertrauenswürde-unabhängiger-behörden-aus [8] Haaretz (2023). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hints at a possible expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/politics/.premium-netanyahu-hints-at-possible-expansion-of-military-operations-in-gaza-strip-1.103247047 [9] Variety (2023). Stephen Colbert leaves CBS. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/stephen-colbert-leaves-cbs-1235369287/ [10] The Root (2023). Candace Owens faces criticism for claiming that Brigitte Macron is a man. Retrieved from https://www.theroot.com/candace-owens-faces-criticism-for-claiming-that-brigitte-1846561295 [11] Swiss Federal Statistical Office (2023). Consumer prices in Switzerland remained stable in July. Retrieved from https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/economy/prices/consumer-prices/monthly-report.html [12] Der Spiegel (2023). Güner Balci: The integration officer from Berlin-Neukölln. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/guener-balci-der-integrationsbeauftragte-aus-berlin-neukoelln-a-1285444.html [13] South China Morning Post (2023). Russia and China begin joint maneuver in the East China Sea. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3189182/russia-china-begin-joint-maneuver-east-china-sea [14] Reuters (2023). China increasingly taking on leading role in military exercises with Russia. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-increasingly-taking-leading-role-military-exercises-russia-2023-07-20/ [15] The Hill (2023). American President dismisses head of national office for labor statistics. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/labor/3739076-trump-dismisses-head-of-national-office-for-labor-statistics/ [16] 20 Minutes (2023). Tunisian on trial in the Valais for drug trafficking, extortion, and blackmail. Retrieved from https://www.20minutes.ch/justice/justice/tunisien-en-procès-au-valais-pour-trafic-de-droques-extorsions-et-menaces-de-mort-id10708516.html
- What would Switzerland's political actors like, such as Green Party leader Lisa Mazzone, suggest as a response to the ongoing trade dispute with the United States? They propose selective countermeasures, like export duties on precious metals.
- The ongoing trade dispute between Switzerland and the United States, with its increasing tariffs, also has implications in the realm of policy-and-legislation. The situation threatens key sectors including car-accidents, crime-and-justice, general-news, and more.
- Amidst the tense and economically challenging situation between Switzerland and the United States, the world of entertainment continues to unfold. Stephen Colbert, a prominent figure in American late-night comedy, left CBS, while other stories make headlines in general-news, such as a Tunisian on trial for drug trafficking, extortion, and blackmail.
