Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter reportedly tried to bring US President Donald Trump to his senses in the tariff dispute in a phone call.
As German media outlet Die Welt reports, a text message arrived from Washington: "End this call, otherwise the situation will get worse." Two minutes later, the call between Switzerland and the US ended.
According to the report, the Federal President had actually achieved partial success in the previous months: After Trump imposed punitive tariffs of 31 percent on Switzerland on April 2, she at least managed to achieve a postponement - until August 1.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs then began negotiations with the US government. Within three weeks, the Federal Council presented an official negotiating mandate: a 10 percent tariff and Swiss investments in the US of up to 200 billion Swiss francs.
Trump twice scheduled a cabinet meeting to sign the deal. Both times it was canceled. When asked about it, US ministers responded: "As far as we know, you have made significant progress in the negotiations; we will keep you informed."
Keller-Sutter reportedly insisted on another phone call with Donald Trump. At 8 p.m. on July 31, the Swiss President waited about ten minutes to speak with Trump. After a brief exchange of polite remarks, they got down to business. Trump made it clear in no uncertain terms that he considered a 10 percent tariff insufficient, given a $39 billion trade deficit caused by nine million Swiss citizens. He is demanding a significantly higher tariff.
The Swiss president continued to try to explain herself - Trump dismissed her arguments as "moralistic" and launched an increased tariff: 30 percent.
After about 30 minutes, State Secretary Helene Budliger received a message from Washington. The message was clear: the conversation had to be stopped before it got out of hand. After the call ended, Keller-Sutter declared the negotiations on issue X a failure. Two hours later, the Federal President received devastating news from Washington: a 39 percent tariff on Switzerland. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
