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August 19, 2026 – 15:00\n<\/p>\n
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\n Where does Switzerland stand in the world? And where is it heading? I focus on current and possible future developments.
\nAfter completing my studies (history, law and European studies), I worked for a time at the Swiss embassy in Athens. I have journalistic experience at home and abroad, at the local and national levels, as a freelancer and as a staff journalist. Today, it’s with an international focus. <\/p>\n
\n Deutsch <\/p>\n \n de <\/p>\n Stabilit\u00e4t \u00fcber alles <\/p>\n Original\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Stabilit\u00e4t \u00fcber alles \n Fran\u00e7ais <\/p>\n \n fr <\/p>\n La stabilit\u00e9 avant tout\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: La stabilit\u00e9 avant tout Dear reader,<\/p>\n There is nothing companies fear more than instability and unpredictability. This is all the more true in a country like Switzerland which has a strong export industry and a small domestic market.<\/p>\n The recent changes in US tariff policy illustrate the point. Tariffs on Swiss goods were initially set at 31%, then raised to 39%, before dropping to 10% and now standing at 12.5%. It has been quite a rollercoaster ride. While the tariffs themselves are painful, many in the business community are relieved that the latest arrangement at least offers some (temporary) certainty for planning.<\/p>\n The same applies to the conflict involving Iran. Time and again, a swift peace settlement is promised, only to be followed by renewed missile attacks. This is problematic for the global economy and devastating for people in poorer countries.<\/p>\n The examples are endless<\/p>\n Behind this lies, first and foremost, the US president\u2019s erratic behaviour, combined with a growing tendency towards isolationism alongside continued military interventions abroad. The role of the US on the international stage is becoming increasingly unclear.<\/p>\n Yet the US remains a driving force of the global economy. Its large domestic market and strong purchasing power are vital for Swiss companies, whose products are often expensive. And even as companies tap into new markets and Switzerland signs new agreements with other countries<\/a>, the US is not going to disappear as a key market.<\/p>\n So what can be done? Victorinox, the maker of the iconic Swiss Army knife, offers one example. Its exports to the US plummeted from 20% to 13%. Like many Swiss firms, Victorinox has since claimed back customs duties after tariffs imposed by the Trump administration were ruled unconstitutional.<\/p>\n But Victorinox has ruled out moving production to the US, one of the stated goals of Washington\u2019s tariff policy. The company\u2019s reputation is built on its Swiss-made quality promise. The company has therefore announced its intention to tap into new markets, specifically in Asia and Latin America.<\/p>\n What is your connection to Switzerland? We\u2019d like to get to know our newsletter readers better. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve launched a short survey. We\u2019d be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete it. Click here for the surveyExternal link<\/a>.<\/p>\n And, as always, you can write to me at giannis.mavris@swissinfo.ch<\/a><\/p>\n Best regards,<\/p>\n Giannis Mavris<\/p>\n P.S. If you find the newsletter useful, please feel free to forward it to others \u2013 you can subscribe\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The latest articles on geopolitics<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Swiss diplomacy\n <\/p>\n Explainer: Why does Switzerland host peace talks? <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Aug 19, 2026 <\/p>\n Switzerland is a perennial backdrop for peace talks. Why do warring parties often choose it for negotiations \u2013 and what do the Swiss gain from hosting them? <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Explainer: Why does Switzerland host peace talks? More <\/p>\n International Geneva\n <\/p>\n Pushback on human rights: defenders speak out <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Aug 18, 2026 <\/p>\n UN investigations have documented war crimes in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. So why is no one being held accountable? <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Pushback on human rights: defenders speak out More <\/p>\n Healthcare innovation\n <\/p>\n Why drugs are becoming more expensive to develop <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Aug 18, 2026 <\/p>\n Drug development has always been expensive and risky, but now it\u2019s measurably more so than a decade ago. Here are three reasons why. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Why drugs are becoming more expensive to develop More <\/p>\n Swiss diplomacy\n <\/p>\n Hostage in the desert: situation of kidnapped Swiss woman remains dire <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Aug 14, 2026 <\/p>\n Swissinfo has spoken to the authorities, a relative and a former hostage. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Hostage in the desert: situation of kidnapped Swiss woman remains dire More <\/p>\n International Geneva\n <\/p>\n Five years of Taliban rule leave Afghanistan facing hunger, repression and a lost generation <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Aug 14, 2026 <\/p>\n Five years after the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan\u2019s humanitarian crisis is deepening as women and girls face sweeping restrictions on education, work and public life. <\/p>\n
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