Otherwise not a fan of Blick, but is currently behind a paywall at the more well-known portals.
Translation:
>__Expensive lobbying in the USA__
>__Switzerland buys influence for half a million__
>__The US government wants to restrict access to AI chips. Switzerland is fighting back with a powerful lobbying firm – and is sparing no expense.__
>Switzerland is digging deep into its pockets to make its voice heard in the USA. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) is spending up to half a million francs on lobbying in Washington. The amount has been available on the Simap procurement platform since Friday. On request, Seco writes that the budgeted CHF 500,000 is a “cost ceiling” – the amount does not necessarily have to be utilised.
>The lobbying mandate was awarded to the US law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld – one of the most powerful lobbying firms in the USA. The fact that this law firm is working on behalf of Switzerland was publicised by the Tamedia newspapers at the beginning of the week. However, the question about the costs remained unanswered. It is now clear that Switzerland is prepared to invest heavily in lobbying. The contract with professional door openers marks a significant upgrade in Swiss diplomacy.
>__Access to AI chips__
>The contract with Akin Gump is publicly available because US law requires transparency in lobbying for foreign actors. The contract stipulates that the law firm is to provide information on the relevant officials in the Trump administration – as well as on employees and members of the US Congress. If necessary, meetings with Swiss government representatives are also to be organised.
>Access to AI chips is at the centre of the lobbying mandate. In January, the US government announced new export rules to restrict trade in cutting-edge technology. Only countries that are considered “trusted allies” will now be allowed unrestricted access to AI chips. Switzerland is not one of them – and the US lobbying firm is now to help change its outsider status. However, there is not much time left. The chip export restrictions will definitely come into force on 15 May.
>__Possible lobbying also for tariffs__
>If requested by Seco, the lobbying firm can also support Switzerland in “other matters” – such as the punitive tariffs imposed by Trump or other “trade-related problems”, as stipulated in the agreement.
>Officially, Seco emphasises that the mandate for the law firm is currently limited to the chip issue. However, people involved tell Blick that Switzerland wants to “utilise all opportunities”. It is therefore not impossible that the law firm will participate in future lobbying offensives against the tariffs.
That… doesn’t seem like a lot of money and considering the article talks about the AI classification, and the inflated now delayed tariff rate, could end up being a good investment if it pays off.
If it works, that’s a bargain. It’s only half what Donnie charges to have dinner with him.
4 comments
Otherwise not a fan of Blick, but is currently behind a paywall at the more well-known portals.
Translation:
>__Expensive lobbying in the USA__
>__Switzerland buys influence for half a million__
>__The US government wants to restrict access to AI chips. Switzerland is fighting back with a powerful lobbying firm – and is sparing no expense.__
>Switzerland is digging deep into its pockets to make its voice heard in the USA. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) is spending up to half a million francs on lobbying in Washington. The amount has been available on the Simap procurement platform since Friday. On request, Seco writes that the budgeted CHF 500,000 is a “cost ceiling” – the amount does not necessarily have to be utilised.
>The lobbying mandate was awarded to the US law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld – one of the most powerful lobbying firms in the USA. The fact that this law firm is working on behalf of Switzerland was publicised by the Tamedia newspapers at the beginning of the week. However, the question about the costs remained unanswered. It is now clear that Switzerland is prepared to invest heavily in lobbying. The contract with professional door openers marks a significant upgrade in Swiss diplomacy.
>__Access to AI chips__
>The contract with Akin Gump is publicly available because US law requires transparency in lobbying for foreign actors. The contract stipulates that the law firm is to provide information on the relevant officials in the Trump administration – as well as on employees and members of the US Congress. If necessary, meetings with Swiss government representatives are also to be organised.
>Access to AI chips is at the centre of the lobbying mandate. In January, the US government announced new export rules to restrict trade in cutting-edge technology. Only countries that are considered “trusted allies” will now be allowed unrestricted access to AI chips. Switzerland is not one of them – and the US lobbying firm is now to help change its outsider status. However, there is not much time left. The chip export restrictions will definitely come into force on 15 May.
>__Possible lobbying also for tariffs__
>If requested by Seco, the lobbying firm can also support Switzerland in “other matters” – such as the punitive tariffs imposed by Trump or other “trade-related problems”, as stipulated in the agreement.
>Officially, Seco emphasises that the mandate for the law firm is currently limited to the chip issue. However, people involved tell Blick that Switzerland wants to “utilise all opportunities”. It is therefore not impossible that the law firm will participate in future lobbying offensives against the tariffs.
That… doesn’t seem like a lot of money and considering the article talks about the AI classification, and the inflated now delayed tariff rate, could end up being a good investment if it pays off.
If it works, that’s a bargain. It’s only half what Donnie charges to have dinner with him.
Probably should spend a bit more
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