Zurich, Feb 27 - Economy ministers from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein used a meeting in Zurich to press the United States to pursue steadier trade ties and to underscore the importance of reinforcing economic cooperation while uncertainty over U.S. policy persists.
The ministers convened a week after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down sweeping tariffs that had been imposed last year by President Donald Trump. In the wake of that ruling, officials from the four German-speaking economies emphasised the necessity of improving competitiveness and removing impediments to cross-border trade.
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche framed the issue through the lens of export dependency, noting the four economies rely heavily on stable trade relationships. She said tariffs had harmed international commerce as well as the U.S. economy and highlighted the direct effect on consumers when trade measures are in place. "The tariffs have simply led to higher consumer prices," Reiche told reporters at a press conference alongside her counterparts from the other three countries.
Switzerland's Guy Parmelin, who will serve as the country's president in 2026, argued that ambiguity around trading rules is damaging for business and said the topic would feature in Switzerland's ongoing trade talks with Washington. "The sooner the United States brings clarity, the better the situation will be for everyone," Parmelin said. "That will then really be a win-win situation and not a lose-lose one."
Austrian Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer described U.S. policy as remaining erratic and called on European economies to broaden and deepen their access to markets in response. He urged a confident European approach to engagement with the United States. "We don’t need to be afraid of Donald Trump, and shouldn’t be," Hattmannsdorfer said. "Now’s the time for the European Union to act with self-confidence and with clarity."
The four ministers' statements collectively underscored concerns about the knock-on effects of sudden changes in U.S. trade policy on export-driven industries, international commerce and consumer prices, while signalling a push among European partners to seek clearer and more predictable trade relations.
Summary of meeting outcomes
- Officials urged the United States to provide clearer, more stable trade policy.
- Ministers called for strengthened economic cooperation and the removal of trade barriers.
- Comments followed the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down tariffs imposed last year.