US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is targeting Switzerland – again. Image: Julia Demaree Nikhinson
In two statements, Seco boss Helene Budliger Artieda rejects the US government’s accusations that Swiss trading practices are unfair. Can it prevent new punitive tariffs?
April 15, 2026, 10:57 p.mApril 15, 2026, 10:57 p.m
The US Trade Representative’s investigation into unfair trade practices is officially still ongoing. Jamieson Greer, however, seems to have already made up his mind. This is shown by a look at the recently published edition an annual report, in which Greer denounces the economic policy of the USA’s most important partner states.
According to Donald Trump’s advisor, Switzerland is not taking strong enough action against foreign goods that are produced using forced labor. “This problem could artificially depress costs – including labor costs – which could give certain goods from and within Switzerland an unfair advantage,” says the trade representative.
In the five-page chapter on Switzerland, he also criticizes certain market-distorting measures that allegedly make “fair” bilateral trade impossible. For example, Greer takes a hard look at the complex certification regulations in organic farming and the Swiss film law. The relevant passages differ greatly from last year’s edition of the National Trade Estimate Report.
What remains unsaid is that in the eyes of the Americans, these alleged distortions of competition would justify new retaliatory measures – ideally in the form of punitive tariffs. Greer is currently preparing the ground for such taxes, based on a law that is often referred to as “Section 301” in Washington and Bern. This also requires a consultation, which ends today, Wednesday. In mid-summer, when the current transitional tariff of 10 percent on goods imports expires after 150 days, the president could then punish foreign competition with new compulsory levies – which may hold up in court.
Swiss regulatory density is incompatible with dumping
However, Switzerland, which is still discussing a trade agreement with the USA, is resisting these new tariffs. In two submissions, Helene Budliger Artieda, head of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), picks apart the Americans’ arguments.
Regarding Greer’s criticism that Federal Bern is not taking decisive enough action against forced labor, writes the State Secretary: “Switzerland argues that its approach cannot be characterized as a failure to take measures to prevent forced labor in global supply chains.”
Budliger Artieda refers to numerous initiatives from politics and business; Most recently, at the beginning of the month, the Federal Council started consultations on a new federal law that would impose “human rights and environmental due diligence obligations” on Swiss companies. The Seco boss rejects the trade representative’s objection that American suppliers in Switzerland are being booted out by foreign companies that use forced labor. There is no evidence of this, she writes.
In the submission about alleged market distortion in Switzerland, Budliger Artieda points out that Switzerland is structured on a federalist basis and that is why no centrally controlled industrial policy companies. One indication of this is the very high wages compared to other countries and the numerous bureaucratic regulations – two characteristics that are incompatible with an economy in which products are manufactured at dumping prices.
Criticism from Switzerland has so far only been in writing
The Swiss statements are available via a publicly accessible database. By Wednesday, more than 300 interested parties had spoken out in the two consultation procedures – including Swiss umbrella organizations from sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology and agriculture. The tenor of these submissions, regardless of whether they come from Interpharma or Swissmem is always the same: Politely but firmly, the Americans’ accusation that Swiss manufacturers are playing with bad cards is rejected.
However, Federal Bern does not want to express these reservations publicly. The Trade Representative is also organizing two hearings at the end of April and beginning of May at which critics can present arguments against the “Section 301” investigation. State Secretary Budliger Artieda has not yet registered for this event. The Seco boss probably prefers negotiations rather than public criticism. (aargauerzeitung.ch)