Swiss government remains optimistic about the extend of US tariffs; French crooks come to Switzerland to steal cars; and other news in our Wednesday roundup.
Switzerland nervously awaits US tariff decision
This week, President Trump published more than a dozen letters to several countries with new tariff information.
Switzerland, however, was not one of them.
The deadline for releasing new customs duties on US-bound exports was expected today, but Trump postponed it to August 1st.
Until then, a 10-percent tariff remains in place for Switzerland — a far cry from the 31 percent the US had originally demanded.
Swiss political and economic circles, however, almost unanimously believe that the country will be spared a ‘customs catastrophe.’
“Americans have understood that Switzerland is not the right country to make an example of,” said Rahul Sahgal, director of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. And Economy Minister Guy Parmelin said that he too is “quite confident” in this regard.
Housing shortage in Zurich: “Some people scan obituaries daily”
In the city of Zurich, around 30,000 apartments become vacant each year. However, they remain on the market for only a short time.
To snap one up before someone else does, “you have to act quickly,” said real estate expert Donato Scognamiglio.
One proven method: “Some people scan obituaries daily,” he said.
“They note down the addresses of the deceased, find out about the property owner at the land registry, and apply without even seeing the flat.”
The method works “astonishingly well,” he added.
Advertisement
Criminals from France steal cars in Switzerland
For several weeks, French thieves, including minors, have been stealing vehicles from dealerships in German and French-speaking Switzerland.
These thefts sometimes result in Hollywood move-like car chases.
The thieves “do not hesitate to take risks and endanger road users and police forces when they intervene,” David Guisolan, first lieutenant in the Vaud cantonal police, told public broadcaster RTS.
Advertisement
Real estate prices in Switzerland continue to rise
According to Raiffeisen Bank, prices for single-family homes for sale in Switzerland rose by 1.5 percent, while the cost of condominiums increased by 1.8 percent from April to June 2025.
The southern and central regions of the country saw the largest increase — 7 percent — while the Lake Geneva region, usually among the most expensive, only got hit by a 2-percent hike.
In central Switzerland too, house prices jumped by 5.9 percent, and by 4.8 percent in the eastern cantons.
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
