President Trump imposes high tariffs on Swiss imports; the US to pressure Swiss companies to scrap their equal-rights programs; and other news in our Thursday roundup.
Trump slaps hefty duties on Swiss exports
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that customs duties of 31 percent would be imposed on goods imported to the United States from Switzerland. This tariff is 50 percent higher than that targeting the European Union (20 percent).
These duties are in response to the 61-percent tariffs levied by Switzerland on American imports, Trump said on Wednesday while announcing a sweeping range of reciprocal tariffs on goods from abroad.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter responded on X (formerly Twitter) that the Federal Council “will quickly decide on the next steps,” adding that “the country’s long-term economic interests are the government’s top priority.”
Der Bundesrat nimmt die Zoll-Entscheide der USA zur Kenntnis. Er wird rasch das weitere Vorgehen festlegen. Im Vordergrund stehen die langfristigen wirtschaftlichen Interessen des Landes. Treue zum internationalen Recht und Freihandel bleiben zentrale Werte. pic.twitter.com/GWCywZBruX
— Karin Keller-Sutter (@keller_sutter) April 2, 2025
But this is not the only instance of Trump exerting pressure on Switzerland…
US wants Swiss companies to abandon their diversity programs
According to media reports, several Swiss companies that want to conduct business in the United States will soon receive a letter from the US Embassy in Bern, demanding that they abandon their equality programs.
This is in line with President Trump’s stance of rejecting targeted advancement programs for women and minorities.
Large Swiss corporations like UBS, Roche and Novartis are reportedly removing their equality and diversity goals from publicly available documents, so as not to anger the US administration.
Trump’s heavy-handed approach is already inciting criticism from Switzerland’s legislators.
“Swiss companies have to comply with our law, not US regulations, especially since equality targets are enshrined in Switzerland’s law, said MP Min Li Marti. “Preemptive obedience is out of place here.”
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Switzerland’s housing crisis is getting worse
The Swiss Association of Entrepreneurs (SSE), an umbrella organisation for the construction industry, is sounding the alarm: the vacancy rate of less than 1 percent across the country means that the already extensive housing shortage will become even more dire.
The SSE’s assumption is based on the fact that far fewer apartments are being built in Switzerland than needed to meet the growing demand. And it will likely take some time for the construction activity to speed up.
“Interest rate cuts need time to take effect,” said Gian-Luca Lardi, SSE’s president.
To stimulate construction, the organisation is calling for faster planning and permit procedures, an adjustment of the legal framework for land use, and a better balance between the interests of construction and preservation of environment.
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Switzerland’s population is divided about the benefit of EU treaties
According to a new survey carried out by LeeWas research institute, 47 percent of the population supports the latest package of bilateral agreements reached between Bern and Brussels in December 2024, while 35 percent oppose it, and 18 percent are undecided.
However, this result is may still change because public opinion formation is not yet very advanced at this early stage, the survey found.
Respondents’ opinions on this matter vary along the political lines,
The majority (between 70 and 76 percent) of left-leaning parties are in favour of the new treaties, but the support wanes among adherents of centre and right parties
In general though, 80 percent of the respondent considered good relations with the EU to be “important” for Switzerland.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
