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Swiss President Guy Parmelin says he was not surprised by the US announcement of new tariffs. <\/p>\n
Keystone-SDA <\/p>\n
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said on Thursday he was not surprised by the Trump administration\u2019s proposal to impose new tariffs of 12.5% on Switzerland, adding that negotiations between the two countries are ongoing with the aim of securing a trade agreement.\n<\/p>\n
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June 5, 2026 – 16:08\n<\/p>\n
+ Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe were aware that there were ongoing investigations into Section 301 of the US Trade Act, and we expected a decision,\u201d said Parmelin at the opening of the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) in Interlaken on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe reject the criticisms levelled by the United States and we have already replied to them in writing,\u201d said the Swiss economics minister, who this year also holds the rotating Swiss presidency role. <\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Trade policy\n <\/p>\n US threatens Switzerland with new tariffs over forced labour imports <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Jun 3, 2026 <\/p>\n The United States is threatening Switzerland with new tariffs of 12.5% on products linked to forced labour. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: US threatens Switzerland with new tariffs over forced labour imports On Wednesday, the United States stepped up the pressure on Switzerland over tariffs. The Trump administration has proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from dozens of economies including Switzerland after determining they had failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labour, an assertion rejected by its trading partners.<\/p>\n Proposals for future US tariffs have not yet been finalised. A consultation period will run until July 6.<\/p>\n Meeting with Jamieson Greer<\/p>\n Parmelin pointed out that the meeting the previous day in Paris with US Secretary of Commerce Jamieson Greer had been planned before the latest US move. The Swiss delegation reaffirmed its position and discussed the American arguments behind the new tariffs.<\/p>\n Speaking in Interlaken, the president pointed out that Switzerland had already taken measures to prevent the import of products made using forced labour. <\/p>\n \u201cSwiss companies and authorities are scrupulous in ensuring that this does not happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n During the meeting with Greer, the question was raised as to whether a simple announcement of adaptation of Swiss legislation on forced labour could lead to a reduction in the tariffs planned by the US. Parmelin said this had already been the case for other countries.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Trade policy\n <\/p>\n Explainer: How the new US tariffs are already impacting the Swiss economy <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Sep 8, 2025 <\/p>\n On August 1, US President Donald Trump announced a tariff of 39% for Switzerland. The effects are slowly becoming visible. <\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780670232_121_672114920_highres.jpg\")
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