The US tariffs have sent shockwaves through Switzerland. They give a boost to those who advocate closer ties with the EU – and are a confirmation of international rapprochement in security policy. Swissinfo's foreign affairs journalist Giannis Mavris analyses the impact on Swiss foreign policy. The referendum on the Bilateral III Agreements, the new package of treaties with the European Union, will be Switzerland's most important foreign policy decision. Although the parliament will not deal with it until 2026 and it will take even longer until the vote, the debates are already heated. The American tariffs announcement on August 1 – on Swiss National Day of all days – has further fuelled the debate on EU relations. And it gives a boost to the supporters of closer ties. The high US import tariffs of 39% on Swiss goods have been in force since August 7. It came as a shock to the export-oriented Swiss industry in particular – the head of Swissmem, the association of the important ...
