Merz Offers to Help Swiss Reduce ‘Exorbitant’ Trump Trade Tariff

Karin Keller-Sutter and Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Sept. 2.Photographer: John Macdougall/AFP/Getty Images

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September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM UTC

Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered Germany’s support for Switzerland in its bid to reduce the punishingly high trade levy US President Donald Trump imposed on the export-dependent nation last month.

The 39% tariff Trump slapped on Switzerland is the highest for any developed country and officials in Bern are trying to persuade his administration to accept a new offer by October.