Switzerland Reacts to 39% U.S. Tariff and Reviews F-35 Agreement

• Switzerland is reviewing the cancellation of its agreement with Lockheed Martin due to U.S. tariffs.
• Political pressure is increasing on the Swiss government following the introduction of the 39% tariff.
• The agreement for the F-35 may be reviewed based on new trade restrictions.

Switzerland has identified a deep-seated concern following the introduction of the 39% tariff on its exported goods to the U.S., which has become a shocking decision for the country. This coincides with the National Day of Switzerland on September 1, 2025, provoking outrage among business leaders and economists. Many Swiss products, such as chocolate and watches, have no competitors in the American market.

In response to the new tariffs, political pressure is rising on the government in Bern. Some Swiss politicians are proposing to cancel the agreement for the purchase of F-35 fighters, the cost of which is set to be 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($9.1 billion USD). They believe that such trade measures are unsustainable compared to large procurement purchases.

National deputy from the Green Party, Balthazar Glattli, has already submitted a resolution to parliament to cancel the contract, which may be reviewed in the fall. Politicians are also discussing the possibility of holding another referendum, so that the population can express its opinion on this agreement.

Moreover, representatives of liberal parties have also begun to express doubts about the validity of the agreement. They believe that the government should consider the possibility of stopping the contract, even if this leads to financial losses. Meanwhile, Switzerland plans to strengthen procurement cooperation with Europe.

The introduction of tariffs on Swiss export goods, including luxury items, has made Switzerland the largest exporter among developed countries, while for EU countries, the tariff will be 15%. At the same time, the Swiss government continues discussions with the U.S. regarding the strengthening of bilateral procurement cooperation.

Tags: Europe/Politics/Economy