In Washington, Guy Parmelin makes a new attempt to close the tariff deal. The Federal President demands that the US government stick to previous agreements.
June 30, 2026, 04:42June 30, 2026, 04:45
Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin at a press conference in Washington on Monday.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA
Talks between the USA and Switzerland over a trade agreement are stuck. The American Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced on Monday, after a meeting with Federal President Guy Parmelin in Washington: “We continue to work towards concluding an agreement on fair, balanced and reciprocal trade.” But the Swiss negotiating side seems to have lost hope that this agreement will be reached soon.
At least that is how the statements that Parmelin made during a press conference following the conversation with Greer can be interpreted. The Federal President will be in North America until July 9th, leading an economic mission. After the visit to Washington, appointments in other American cities, Canada and Mexico are also on the agenda.
Switzerland still wants a maximum of 15 percent tariff
Switzerland is “a reliable partner” of the American government, Parmelin said on Monday. And he emphasized that Bern is sticking to the declaration of intent that ended the customs dispute between the two countries (at least temporarily) last November. This declaration states that the USA will in future declare customs duties on goods from Switzerland at a maximum of 15 percent of the value of the goods. Switzerland insists on this tariff rate. “A deal is a deal,” said the Federal President.
New rencontre with the representative in commerce @USTradeRep Jamieson Greer at Washington. Je lui ai remis a document précisant comment le Conseil fédéral met en œuvre les points clés de la déclaration d’intention conjointe du 14 November. Les négociations se poursuivent. https://t.co/3N41mKHMih pic.twitter.com/zHMKBoj0ht
— Guy Parmelin (@ParmelinG) June 29, 2026
Parmelin said he also conveyed this message in the conversation with Greer, which took place in a pleasant atmosphere. He pointed out that Switzerland is diligently fulfilling its obligations. The Federal Council has adjusted some regulations so that US car manufacturers can now export their vehicles to Switzerland more easily. “In return,” the Federal Council now expects “compliance with the points set out by the USA in the declaration of intent.” This formulation can be found in a media release from the Federal Council, which was also published on Monday.
USA threatens tariffs again
Negotiating partners do not normally have to make such statements publicly. They are a given, at least in promising negotiations.
But the Americans keep making new accusations against their trading partners in order to justify imposing ever new tariff rates. In an ongoing investigation, the trade representative is accusing Switzerland of producing goods at dumping prices and thus engaging in unfair competition. Greer’s case, which was directed against forced labor and in which Switzerland was also targeted, has already been completed.
Parmelin said Monday he strongly rejects the trade commissioner’s allegations. But Greer appears to be sticking to his accusations. And that is why there is a threat of new additional tariffs at the end of July. In total, these could perhaps be higher than 15 percent, although this is currently still completely unclear.
Swiss government wants stability
This American threat prompted the Federal Council to act. The Federal Council is now looking for a new way, said Parmelin, to find the best solution for the Swiss economy. The state government is sticking to the negotiating mandate that was passed in January 2026 after consultations with the foreign policy commissions of parliament and the cantons – and provides for a “legally binding trade agreement” that would also have to be presented to parliament.
But concluding such a deal does not appear to be possible, at least in the short term, also because Trump is unwilling to drop the tariff hammer. (A few days ago, the US President threatened the EU with a punitive tariff of 100 percent if the member states impose new regulations on the large online companies from the USA.) This suggests that the current provisional arrangement will be extended, provided Greer is willing and able to convince his boss of the advantages of such a solution.
Switzerland says: There will never be an “absolute guarantee” that the USA will not impose new tariffs. “We can’t determine that,” said Seco boss Helene Budliger Artieda, who also took part in Parmelin’s press conference. Tariffs are by definition a “unilateral instrument,” said the State Secretary. But it is important to bring stability to bilateral trade between Switzerland and the USA, at least “in the next few months.” (schweiztoday.ch)