Stefan Legge, Vice Director and Head of Tax & Trade Policy at the University of St. Gallen, joins me to unpack the economic forces shaping Switzerland and the world. With his expertise in trade, debt, and policy reform, Stefan explores how small countries like Switzerland navigate a rapidly changing global economy.

Expect to learn why free trade agreements with countries like China and India are critical for Switzerland, the potential fallout of U.S. tariffs, and what lessons can be drawn from Argentina’s experiment with extreme government reduction. Stefan also dives into the challenges of managing national debt, how Switzerland maintains its economic stability, and his surprising take on Bitcoin’s role in the future of finance. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone curious about global economics and Switzerland’s unique approach.

CONTACT STEFAN

https://stefanlegge.com/contact/

CONTACT MIKE

https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/

TRANSCRIPT

https://howitticks.ch/podcast/global-debt-stefan-legge/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction and defining trade relationships

05:30 Switzerland’s free trade agreements and their importance

12:00 Challenges in establishing a free trade agreement with the U.S.

16:00 Potential impacts of U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods

22:00 Key Swiss exports and their global demand

28:00 The significance of pharmaceutical exports to the U.S.