The clock on Swiss US trade is not just ticking, it has effectively stopped and reversed, transitioning from a state of negotiation toward a significant trade conflict marked by the imposition of punitive United States tariffs. Instead of moving toward a free trade agreement, which has been a long-standing, though challenging, objective, the current trade relationship is defined by protectionist measures from the US side, which took effect in late 2025. This abrupt shift was crystallized when the US administration applied an additional tariff of 39% on a majority of Swiss exports, a rate dramatically higher than those imposed on comparable European trading partners. This steep levy came despite intensive bilateral talks and Switzerland's ab
