Swiss Watchmakers Sound Upbeat on US as Long as Stocks Last

Swiss watchmakers at their annual back-to-school gathering in Geneva were putting a brave face on President Donald Trump’s tariffs threatening their businesses. That may change if their US stockpiles run out.

A surge in exports in July should spare watchmakers — at least in the short-term — from bearing the brunt of the 39% levy imposed by the US last month on products from Switzerland, and exhibitors were generally upbeat about Swiss officials’ chances of getting a better deal before their wiggle room runs out.