Summary: Helene Budliger Artieda, head of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, said in a Zurich interview that she believed there was a good chance Washington would maintain the 15% tariff level that was part of an earlier agreement. Negotiations with the United States continue to finalise a trade deal, and a temporary universal 10% U.S. tariff is due to expire on July 24.
Speaking to Bloomberg in Zurich, Budliger Artieda reiterated the Swiss government s desire for stable and predictable trading conditions with the United States. When asked whether the 15% rate negotiated in the preliminary November arrangement would remain, she responded: "If I would have to guess today, I would think there is a good chance."
The 15% figure originated from an initial deal reached with Washington in November. That arrangement followed a period last summer when President Donald Trump imposed the highest U.S. tariffs in Europe on Switzerland, a stance that was later eased when the two sides agreed to reduce duties to the same rate applied to the European Union.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration implemented a universal 10% U.S. tariff in February after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled some prior tariffs unlawful. That temporary 10% levy is scheduled to expire on July 24. Meanwhile, Swiss and U.S. officials remain in talks to convert the preliminary understanding into a finalised trade agreement.
Beyond the tariff discussion, Budliger Artieda said she wanted to see Switzerland s economy grow at a faster pace. She singled out energy costs as an area in which Switzerland needs to become more affordable, noting that competitiveness on energy pricing is a component of broader economic performance.
Swiss firms, according to the official, are particularly eager for predictability in U.S. trading terms - an outcome that would reduce uncertainty for exporters, importers and cross-border commercial planning. The negotiations and the impending expiry of the temporary tariff leave several moving parts for businesses to watch as officials seek a definitive agreement.
Key points
- There is a "good chance" the U.S. will maintain the 15% tariff rate set under an initial November deal - this affects trade relations and exporters.
- A universal 10% U.S. tariff introduced in February is due to expire on July 24 - this has implications for importers and manufacturers.
- Swiss authorities want faster economic growth and have highlighted energy costs as an area needing greater affordability - relevant for energy-intensive sectors and competitiveness.
Risks and uncertainties
- Negotiations with the United States to finalise a trade deal are still ongoing - outcome remains uncertain and could affect trade-sensitive sectors.
- The temporary 10% U.S. tariff expires on July 24, creating a near-term deadline that could influence market expectations and business planning.
- Reliance on the U.S. honoring the preliminary 15% arrangement introduces uncertainty for Swiss companies that seek long-term predictability.