Swiss President Guy Parmelin is set to visit the United States next week to meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, as Switzerland seeks to formalize a preliminary agreement on tariffs with the Trump administration, the Swiss government announced on Thursday.
Details of the Visit
Parmelin, who also serves as Switzerland’s economy minister, will travel to North America from June 29 to July 9. The trip includes stops in Canada and Mexico, in addition to the United States. On July 2, Parmelin will attend Switzerland’s soccer World Cup match in Vancouver, Canada.
The visit follows a period of high tension between Bern and Washington. Last summer, US President Donald Trump imposed a 39 percent duty on Swiss imports, the highest tariff applied to any European country. In November, Switzerland secured an initial deal that reduced the tariff to 15 percent, aligning it with the rate applied to the European Union.
Trade Negotiations
Switzerland has since entered into talks to formalize that accord. The upcoming meeting with Greer is a key step in the process. The Swiss government emphasized that the deal is crucial for maintaining economic stability and competitiveness.
Beyond the US, Parmelin’s itinerary includes Mexico, where he plans to hold talks with President Claudia Sheinbaum and various ministers. One of Switzerland’s medium-term goals is to update the free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Mexico, which has been in force for approximately 25 years.
Economic Context
Switzerland is the largest economy within EFTA, which also includes Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The country’s export-oriented economy is heavily dependent on favorable trade conditions. According to the Swiss government, formalizing the tariff agreement with the US is a priority to ensure continued access to the American market.
The visit underscores Switzerland’s proactive approach to trade diplomacy amid global tariff uncertainties. Parmelin’s meetings in Mexico also aim to strengthen ties with Latin America, a region of growing economic importance for Swiss companies.
