Image Credentials: Image Title: SWISS PRESIDENT HOPES ‘HOLY SPIRIT’ GUIDES SECRETIVE US-CHINA TARIFF TALKS IN GENEVA Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
Geneva, May 9, 2025 – Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter expressed cautious optimism on Friday as Geneva prepares to host high-stakes talks between the United States and China over their escalating trade war, even while her own efforts to ease stiff U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods ended in disappointment.
Keller-Sutter, who also serves as Switzerland’s finance minister, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in a bid to soften the 31% tariffs currently imposed on Swiss exports under U.S. President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariff regime. While she described the discussions as “convivial and constructive,” the talks failed to produce a breakthrough.
“Of course, it is disappointing,” Keller-Sutter told reporters in Geneva. “I also told President Trump that this was not fair. But on the other hand, we’re not looking back, we are looking forward.”
The Swiss leader said she remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached in the coming weeks, with U.S. officials showing a willingness to continue negotiations. “We’re really encouraged by the talks we had… the U.S. side really engaged with Switzerland also to find a swift solution,” she added.
While her meeting with Bessent did not yield immediate results, attention now turns to the more consequential talks set for this weekend in Geneva between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The discussions, cloaked in secrecy, are being closely watched by global markets as both sides weigh a potential de-escalation of their trade war.
Tariffs have reached punishing levels, with the U.S. imposing duties of up to 145% on Chinese goods and Beijing retaliating with 125% tariffs on American imports. Earlier on Friday, Trump teased a potential shift in strategy, posting on social media: “80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B.”
Alluding to these talks, Keller-Sutter joked about divine intervention, referencing the historic election of Pope Leo XIV — the first U.S.-born pontiff — which took place just a day earlier. “I said to Secretary Bessent that the Holy Spirit was in Rome yesterday, and I hope that he will come to Geneva over the weekend,” she quipped.
The Swiss president also highlighted her country’s economic contributions to the United States, noting that Swiss investment has created approximately 400,000 jobs with an average annual salary of $130,000. When asked whether her April 9 phone call with Trump influenced his decision to delay full implementation of the tariffs, she laughed and replied, “He should listen to women.”
While the U.S. has temporarily suspended the most severe tariffs for most countries, Switzerland remains subject to higher duties than even its European Union neighbors, who are facing a 20% cap. Swiss officials insist their country should not be penalized despite not being part of the EU trade bloc.
As Bessent and He Lifeng prepare for what could be a pivotal weekend, Geneva again finds itself at the center of global diplomacy, echoing the 2021 Biden-Putin summit held in the same city. Whether this round of talks can ease tensions remains to be seen — but Switzerland is hoping for more than neutrality: it’s hoping for a breakthrough.
🔹 Key Tariff Rates
-
U.S. Tariffs on Swiss Goods:
▪ 31% under Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” policy
▪ Currently under a 90-day suspension (as of April 9) for most countries, except China -
U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Goods:
▪ 145% on a wide range of imports, including electronics, machinery, and metals -
Chinese Tariffs on U.S. Goods:
▪ 125% retaliatory duties, affecting agricultural products, energy exports, and technology -
EU Goods to U.S.:
▪ Facing proposed 20% tariff rates