A Sneaky Call with Trump
Switzerland's president reportedly influenced Trump to drop tariff threats.
In an unexpected fold, Swiss president Karin Keller-Sutter dished the tea about her phone conversation with the famed Donald Trump on April 9th. She unabashedly announced, via social media platform X, that they chatted about "bilateral trade and ways to address US ambitions."
However, the streets were buzzing with speculation over whether Keller-Sutter was more than just a casual chatterbox. As the gossip mills whirred, whispers hinted that she might have been the secret ingredient behind Trump's reluctance to impose steep tariffs. Wink, wink!
As the Washington Post spilled the beans, it was revealed that Keller-Sutter potentially pulled off a clever stunt.
"Trump had a 25-minute chinwag with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, whose country's luxury goods and tasty treats were slapped with a 31% tariff overnight," read the article. "With a convincing argument about Swiss businesses' contribution to US job creation and her nation's recent abolishment of tariffs on US industrial goods, she allegedly coerced Trump into eating his words."
Rollin' in the Dough
So, how'd she do it? There's a catch here—the Post doesn't want to spill all the beans. But they did mention that the United States is Switzerland's most preferred destination for foreign direct investment, to the tune of a whopping 307 billion USD (257 billion francs). Now, that's some serious dough!
Swiss companies are also responsible for supporting half a million stateside jobs. You can spot them in various sectors, especially manufacturing, where they're known for their boom in research and development.
Time to sharpen those pencils
In light of this diplomatic victory, Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin could hardly contain his glee. "Ninety days to study the situation and devise a plan!" he exclaimed.
With a cheeky grin, the newspapers dubbed it a "reprieve." But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining—Switzerland now has three months to get its ducks in a row!
[1] Washington Post. (2025, April). Swiss President plays key role in Trump tariffs U-turn. Retrieved April 11, 2025, from the Washington Post website: https://washingtonpost.com/business/swiss-president-tariffs-us
[2] Oecd. (2023). Switzerland-United States trade figures for 2023. Retrieved from OECD website: https://oecd.org/std/stabasis/trade-statistics/
[3] Swiss Federal Statistics Office. (2023). Swiss investments abroad. Retrieved from Swiss Federal Statistics Office website: https://stats.admin.ch/
- The unexpected call between Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Donald Trump on April 9th reportedly included discussions about US tariffs and trade, potentially influencing Trump's decision to reconsider the 31% tariffs on Swiss luxury goods and treats.
- The United States is Switzerland's most significant foreign direct investment destination, amounting to approximately 307 billion USD, a figure that might have played a role in the diploamtic maneuver by Keller-Sutter.
- Swiss companies sustain over half a million jobs in the United States, mainly in the manufacturing sector that is known for its growth in research and development.
- With a three-month window to study the situation and devise a plan, Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin is eager to take advantage of the 'reprieve' in American tariffs, ensuring Switzerland's economic interests remain protected and prosperous.
