39% customs duties – Swiss jobs and prosperity in acute danger

Key export-dependent industries such as mechanical engineering, medical technology, the watch industry and parts of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are particularly affected. These sectors not only represent tens of thousands of high-quality jobs, but also a significant part of our country's economic backbone.

The existing barriers to trade with the EU, in particular the well-known tariffs and regulatory obstacles, already place a burden on the export industry. The new US punitive tariffs are exacerbating the situation and highlighting how vulnerable an open, export-oriented economy like Switzerland is.

As an employers' association, we urgently warn of the consequences: the punitive tariffs not only threaten individual companies, but also our social prosperity in the medium to long term. If exports become unprofitable, entire value chains will come under pressure – with noticeable consequences for incomes, social security and purchasing power.

Our statement in the print edition of Blick on 2 August 2025:

What's more, the uncertainty is affecting not only balance sheets but also people. The threat of job losses – either directly or indirectly through production relocations – is having a psychological impact: fears for livelihoods, stress and a growing sense of powerlessness are spreading even before the first redundancies have been announced.
We call on the Federal Council to quickly use diplomatic channels and take a clear stance towards the US government. At the same time, targeted economic support measures are needed for affected companies to secure jobs and maintain long-term competitiveness.
The social partners must also act together now. Early dialogue in the affected sectors is essential in order to prepare socially acceptable solutions such as further training and transition models in good time. The economic support measures should include extending the short-time working allowance, which has already been extended to 18 months until 31 July 2025, to a full two years.