Swiss president calls U.S. tariff talks ‘disappointing’ and hopes U.S.-China meeting goes better

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss the 31% tariffs on Swiss goods, but the talks were disappointing and did not lead to a solution. Keller-Sutter expressed hope that a more significant US-China tariff discussion in Geneva would lead to a resolution. The US-China talks are shrouded in secrecy, but Keller-Sutter met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and expressed optimism. The US has temporarily suspended severe tariffs against all target countries except China, and Switzerland is in a worse position than its EU neighbors. The Swiss government described the meeting with Bessent as constructive, aiming to lay out guidelines for a deal on customs duties to be discussed again in coming weeks. Keller-Sutter previously spoke with President Trump, who announced a pause in the implementation of tariffs for 90 days and capped them at 10% for most countries, except China. Keller-Sutter emphasized that Switzerland is looking forward and is encouraged by the talks, highlighting Swiss investment in the US, which has created 400,000 jobs with an average salary of $130,000. Trump floated the prospect of sharply reducing tariffs on social media, saying "80% Tariff on China seems right!" and leaving the decision to Bessent. The US-China talks are critical, with the US slapping 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and Beijing responding with 125% tariffs on US goods.