During a visit to Brussels on Monday 23 April, Swiss Federal Councillor for the Economy Johann Schneider-Ammann spoke to European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström about Switzerland's concerns on the safeguard measures planned by the EU to prevent the rerouting to its market of global exports of steel and aluminium intended for the US market, following the rise in US customs duties on these two products on 23 March.
On 26 March, the European Commission launched a safeguard investigation in order to prevent the rerouting to the EU market of global steel exports intended for the US market (see EUROPE 11989). If they prove necessary, provisional measures will be adopted within a short space of time in the form of import restrictions (customs duties or import quotas).
Unlike the EU, which is temporarily exempt from the US taxes until 1 May (see EUROPE 11988), Switzerland is not exempt and is concerned about being doubly sanctioned with the EU safeguard measures. The EU is the main market for Switzerland's steel and aluminium exports.
Schneider-Ammann explained the efforts made by Switzerland towards the USA to find a solution for Swiss aluminium and steel producers. He stated that the safeguard measures planned by the EU should not hamper bilateral trade and that the commitments stemming from the free trade agreement between Switzerland and the EU should be respected.
The two parties also discussed the trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur and Mexico – two partners with which Switzerland intends to establish trade rules as close as possible to those of the EU in order to avoid any disadvantage to its export economy in relation to its European competitors. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)