Trump reiterates his threats and makes Switzerland tremble

While Donald Trump has just warned the rest of the world in Davos, urging it to have its products manufactured in the United States, at the risk of finding itself confronted with incredible customs tariffs, Switzerland for its part fears find itself cantilevered between Washington and Brussels.

“My message to the whole world is this: make your products in the United States and you will benefit from the lowest taxes on the planet,” the new American president declared Thursday during a videoconference at the WEF.

The Republican reiterated his tax threats of recent days before detailing the decisions taken since his inauguration on Monday. He welcomed the results already obtained, in a speech putting the United States as a priority, according to its slogan “America First” (America First). The septuagenarian’s speech in front of an audience of big bosses was greeted with much applause. Leaders and business leaders gathered in Davos have tried over the past three days to predict the consequences of his taking office.

The Swiss government, for its part, has warned of the consequences for its economy. He fears that Switzerland finds itself doubly penalized, with the United States applying an economic policy and the EU a completely different one.. This while Bern and Brussels have just finalized bilateral agreements.

A critical phase for Switzerland

Switzerland finds itself “in a critical phase” regarding corporate taxation, Karin Keller-Sutter told the press at the WEF, before Donald Trump spoke. The Minister of Finance warned the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen this week that Switzerland did not want to suffer from a European policy that would harm it.

The Saint-Galloise mentioned the minimum taxation on OECD multinationals applied in Switzerland since January. Donald Trump, opposed to this rule, threatened Europe with economic reprisals if it continued to apply it. “It would be very unfortunate if our country were once again penalized,” declared Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin.

In recent years, Switzerland has found itself harmed by safeguard measures decided by Brussels after the introduction of customs duties on these products. The Minister of the Economy declared that Switzerland would make contact “as quickly as possible” with the United States to discuss a possible resumption of negotiations on a free trade agreement. Washington’s intentions must first be known, he said. “But there is strong demand in Switzerland to move forward,” said the Vaudois.

More articles about the United States

Although ready to find out with billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s media group, News Group Newspapers (NGN), the prince gave up his trial in exchange for a historic apology and “substantial reparations”.

The announcement had the effect of a bombshell this Wednesday morning before the High Court in London. While a long and painful trial loomed for the exiled prince against the tabloid group NGN, for having illegally spied on him for decades, last minute negotiations led to an agreement. It was Harry’s main lawyer, David Sherborne, who shared the news to everyone’s surprise.