US and Switzerland Forge Trade Agreement Reducing Tariffs to 15%

Fri Nov 14 2025 22:09:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a landmark deal, the US has agreed to lower tariffs on Swiss exports from 39% to 15%, following a significant investment promise from Switzerland.

A recent agreement between the US and Switzerland will significantly reduce tariffs on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%. This comes after Swiss business leaders engaged in discussions with President Trump, leading to a commitment of $200 billion in investments in the US economy. The deal aims to alleviate economic strains caused by previous tariffs and is anticipated to create new jobs and opportunities in various sectors.

The United States and Switzerland have struck a notable trade agreement that reduces steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Swiss exports, opting to lower the rate from 39% to 15%. This decision is part of a larger agreement which includes a promise from Switzerland to invest $200 billion (£150 billion) into the US economy.

Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin called the agreement a great relief for our economy, highlighting the damages experienced by Swiss industries since the additional tariffs were enacted last August. The agreement was catalyzed by a high-profile meeting involving Swiss business leaders who presented Trump with lavish gifts, including a Rolex gold watch and an engraved gold bar from gold refining company MKS.

Initial efforts by Swiss President Karin Keller Sutter to negotiate a better tariff rate had been met with resistance, as Trump famously remarked that she did not want to listen. However, the face-to-face discussions with industry leaders appeared to have changed the dynamics of the negotiations.

According to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the deal not only paves the way for increased Swiss investment but is also expected to create numerous job opportunities, particularly in industries that have seen a decline due to the previous tariffs.

The agreement also specifies that Switzerland will eliminate tariffs on a quota of US meat exports, including beef, bison, and poultry. This move aligns Switzerland more closely with tariff agreements made by the US with its European Union counterparts.

As Swiss exporters have seen a 14.2% drop in trade with the US since the tariffs were imposed, the agreement comes as a welcome change. Parmelin indicated that the investment would take various forms, including expansion plans from Swiss companies operating in the US, such as Pilatus Aircraft and Stadler Rail.

The trade deal will need to be ratified by the Swiss parliament and may eventually require a public referendum, which could delay its implementation in the coming weeks.