Donald Trump wants to pay dearly for the tariff reduction for Switzerland.Image: keystone
In order for the high tariffs for Switzerland to actually be reduced, the USA is demanding a lot more from Switzerland. A list published by the White House shows demands that are sometimes viewed extremely critically in this country.
November 16, 2025, 09:03November 16, 2025, 12:13 p.m
When Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin and Seco boss Helene Budliger appeared in front of the media to announce the successful negotiations with the USA, the main focus of Swiss concessions was on the $200 billion investments by local companies in the USA or extensive concessions regarding tariffs in the agricultural sector.
But a release released by the White House on Friday “Joint Statement” shows: The USA is demanding much more from Switzerland. According to the Sunday newspaper The papers contain a total of 29 points. There are some that are controversial in this country. Among other things, the list includes the following US demands:
- Switzerland must reduce various tariffs to 0: Switzerland should receive 15 percent tariffs instead of 39 and some additional exceptions on special goods – in return, it must completely abolish tariffs, especially in the food and agricultural sectors: nuts, fruits, chemicals, whiskey, rum. In addition, quotas for products such as beef should be increased or the import of the controversial chlorinated chickens should be allowed. The Swiss farmer boss Markus Ritter has already made calls for more support for Swiss agriculture in “SonntagsBlick”.
- Switzerland must adopt US car standards: The list clearly states that Switzerland must recognize US standards for cars. Until now, large US pick-ups and SUVs in particular were not allowed to travel on Swiss roads without modification. For example, Elon Musk’s Cybertruck. The import and use of the much-discussed vehicle could suddenly be permitted without reservation.
- Switzerland should adopt US sanctions: This point is particularly sensitive. Although Guy Parmelin had assured during the negotiations that the USA had not yet asked Switzerland to take on economic sanctions, such demands are still possible, according to the list. There were reports a week ago that Trump had put forward such conditions to the Swiss business delegation in the White House. In Swiss politics, this met with criticism and rejection across the party landscape.
- No taxes for the tech giants: Google, Amazon, Meta and Co. should not be allowed to be taxed more specifically in Switzerland. The White House describes taxes on digital services as “harmful” and should therefore be avoided. The topic is explosive because several demands for more transparency and responsibility for tech companies are being discussed in the Swiss Parliament. However, a Swiss concession would not be entirely new: Already at the end of August it became clear that the Federal Council was prepared to forego taking a tougher stance towards the tech giants in order to make Trump more lenient.
What many of the points have in common is that they are not clearly formulated, but rather vague. Opposite the NZZ on Sunday The Economics Department WBF repeatedly invalidates the absoluteness of the listed demands, for example regarding the assumption of sanctions:
“The declaration of intent does not contain any obligation for Switzerland to accept American sanctions or other measures.”
Instead, Switzerland, as a sovereign state, would continue to decide on measures in these areas. It is not known whether the US government shares this interpretation of the WBF.
Question marks remain: What if the USA completely insists on certain points on the list that are particularly unpopular in this country? These would then have to be further negotiated if Switzerland is not prepared to come to terms with them – a delicate undertaking given the US President’s impulsiveness.
In the Friday euphoria, it should not be forgotten that the agreement announced is a declaration of intent, not a signed agreement. Given US ideas, the path to a definitive reduction in tariffs could be significantly further than those involved would like.
The lack of clarity is consistent with the fact that the Joint Statement has so far only been published by the USA, but not by Switzerland. According to the WBF, this was due to an “internal misunderstanding” and will be remedied “as quickly as possible,” as the NZZ said.
Soon to be on Swiss roads? The Tesla cyber truck.Image: keystone
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