Rahul Sahgal: “With the Democrats or the Republicans, it has always worked well” for Switzerland – rts.ch

Between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, “there is no preferred candidate”, asserts Rahul Sahgal directly, referring to the American presidential election which will take place at the beginning of November.

Martin Naville’s successor at the head of the Swiss-United States Chamber of Commerce, since November 2023, believes that over the last thirty years – whether with Democratic or Republican presidents – “it has always worked well for Switzerland […] and it will stay like that for quite a long time,” he thinks, also recalling that the United States remains our country’s largest economic partner and largest investor.

Protectionism is in the air

Known as being extremely protectionist, wouldn’t Donald Trump be a danger for Switzerland? “Unfortunately, it’s in the spirit of the times, if we look in Europe, in China, there are protectionist tendencies everywhere. Donald Trump has other instruments than Kamala Harris, but I don’t believe that it will diminish the overall attractiveness of the American market”, further analyzes Rahul Sahgal.

The presidency of Donald Trump, between 2017 and 2021, delighted businesses, as confirmed by the former employee of the Confederation. “He lowered corporate taxes from 35% to 21%, that was a big thing. But we also concluded very, very important agreements for Switzerland with the Biden administration,” explains Rahul Sahgal.

For the director of the Chamber of Commerce, one thing is particularly important for Switzerland at the moment in the economic relationship with the United States: the revision of the double taxation agreement. “It will keep investments and create jobs in Switzerland. We are in the process of concluding with the government of Joe Biden at the moment,” he specifies.

Comments collected by Philippe Revaz

Web article: Jérémie Favre