This is no way to treat our Swiss friends
The Trump administration is set to investigate Switzerland under Section 301, a move that raises concerns about U.S. trade policy. While some investigations may identify genuine trade violations, poorly executed ones could harm vital economic relationships. Switzerland, known for its fair trade practices and significant investment in the U.S., should not be treated like countries engaging in predatory trade behavior.
- ▪The U.S. imported $38 billion more from Switzerland than it exported in 2024.
- ▪Including services, Switzerland actually bought $30 billion more in American services than it sold to the U.S.
- ▪Swiss companies support nearly 400,000 American jobs, highlighting the deep economic ties between the two nations.
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The Trump administration is preparing to investigate Switzerland under Section 301 — the same trade enforcement tool used against China. That tells you almost everything you need to know about how Washington has lost the plot on trade policy.Recommended Video These investigations, launched after the Supreme Court invalidated earlier tariff measures, could serve a legitimate purpose. Done properly, they could help identify countries that genuinely cheat the system. Done poorly, they could damage America’s closest economic relationships and weaken the very economy they are supposed to strengthen. As someone who has spent decades advising governments and businesses around the world, I have learned that trade deficits alone tell us very little.
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