May 24, 2026, 3:52 p.mMay 24, 2026, 3:52 p.m
Entrepreneur Alfred Gantner has arranged several meetings with US ministers for the Federal Council.Image: keystone
The affair surrounding the customs dispute with the USA continues to spread. Again “SonntagsBlick” reports, entrepreneur and billionaire Alfred Gantner is said to have played a larger role in the negotiations with the US government than previously assumed.
As part of an investigation into the events, the GPK (Audit Commission) of the Council of States questioned Gantner about his role – and about his cooperation with Seco State Secretary Helene Budliger Artiega. After Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter’s failure, she took a leading role in the negotiations. She was subsequently accused of having involved too many private actors – and perhaps even of having shared confidential negotiating positions with them.
According to “Blick”, Gantner spoke plainly to parliamentarians: He did not receive a single secret document from the State Secretary, it was only about business. He sees his role exclusively as an advisor on the question of how Switzerland can reduce its trade balance from a surplus of 40 billion to a more balanced sum.
Gantner also relied on his private network to advance negotiations with the US government after Federal President Keller-Sutter became “persona non grata” in the White House. The billionaire was able to arrange three meetings with high-ranking US ministers for Economics Minister Guy Parmelin: with Finance Minister Bessent, with Trade Minister Lutnick and with Trade Representative Greer.
The “Blick” also writes that the Federal Council is currently working on a plan B if a legally binding customs deal is not reached. In this case, Bern would, if necessary, be satisfied with a declaration of intent from the US government. Officially, the government remains silent about the ongoing negotiations.
(cpf)