Business Daily Small country: Big tariffs
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Oct 8, 2025 Switzerland faces a startling rise in US tariffs, now at 39%. Officials struggle to negotiate a deal as the economy slows. Key sectors, including pharmaceuticals and watchmaking, are feeling the pinch. The podcast delves into how Swiss precision manufacturing ties into advanced medical tech, highlighting innovations like an artificial heart pump. With strategic diversification in new markets underway, Switzerland opts not to retaliate, while both nations confront the potential losses of this trade clash.
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Sudden 39% Tariff Shock
- The US applied a 39% tariff on Swiss goods, escalating from an initial 31% threat and surprising Swiss leaders.
- Switzerland's strong trade, investment and R&D ties with the US make the tariff politically and economically puzzling.
Medtech Grown From Watchmaking
- Adrian Hun describes Switzerland as a medtech hub with 72,000 workers and medtech ranking third in the trade surplus.
- He links this success to precision mechanics roots from watchmaking and strong university medical faculties.
Micro Precision Systems' Artificial Heart
- Gilles Robert shows MPS's precision devices, including a pump for the only medically registered artificial hearts.
- He explains the device could complement transplants and serve patients who cannot access donor hearts.