THE NEW YORK TIMES: Swiss officials plan to negotiate furiously for a lower rate in the coming days, before the punishing levy takes effect.
Switzerland got a rude awakening on Friday, a national holiday, after President Trump imposed a 39 percent tariff on goods imported from the Alpine country, one of the highest rates of any country. Karin Keller-Sutter, the Swiss president, said that she had spoken with Mr. Trump on Thursday but that “no agreement could be reached.”
The Swiss were already indignant about Mr. Trump’s initial threat, in April, to levy a 31 percent tariff on their goods. When the White House announced revised rates late on Thursday, the Swiss were shocked to see that already steep rate raised further. Many other tariffs were maintained or lowered somewhat by Mr. Trump’s revisions.
Now, Swiss products imported in the United States, including pharmaceuticals, precision instruments and even coffee capsules, will be subject to the 39 percent tariff if the two sides don’t hash out a trade deal by Aug. 7. » | Liz Alderman | Reporting from Paris | Friday, August 1, 2025
