Trump's 39% Tariffs on Swiss Imports Hit U.S. Buyers Hardest in 2025
The USA imposed heavy trump tariffs on Swiss imports in 2025, leading to a sharp rise in customs duties. Swiss goods faced a 39 percent tariff—one of the highest rates for any country. By November, these duties had generated around $2 billion for the usa, six times more than the previous year.
In August 2025, President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Swiss products to 39 percent. The move hit Swiss industries hard, particularly machinery, electrical, and metal companies. Together, these sectors paid over $1.1 billion in customs duties—more than half of the total collected from Switzerland.
The Swiss watch industry also felt the impact. Its share of usa customs revenue jumped from $102 million to $486 million, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total. Meanwhile, the tech sector saw its tariff burden grow 13 times compared to 2024.
Most of the cost was passed on to usa buyers. Only about 4 percent of the tariff burden remained with Swiss exporters, while 96 percent was absorbed by American consumers and importing businesses. The strain led some Swiss companies to halt exports to the usa entirely after August.
The trump tariffs resulted in $2 billion in usa customs revenue from Swiss goods between January and November 2025. Swiss exporters, especially in tech and watches, faced steep financial pressure. usa buyers bore nearly all the additional costs, with some Swiss firms withdrawing from the market.
