'We haven't sold our soul to the devil': Switzerland's trade deal with the U.S. divides opinion | Metals Mine

  • 'We haven't sold our soul to the devil': Switzerland's trade deal with the U.S. divides opinion

    From cnbc.com

    Switzerland’s fledgling trade deal with the U.S. is dividing opinion as government and business leaders welcome a “restart” for the country, while critics caution it amounts to a sellout to the White House. The trade deal, announced on Friday, saw duties on Swiss exports to the States slashed from 39% to 15% and Swiss companies pledge to make $200 billion in investments in the U.S., including promises to increase manufacturing Stateside. Switzerland had launched a charm offensive ahead of the deal, sending a group of top Swiss CEOs — including the heads of luxury goods giants Rolex and Richemont — to the ... (full story)

Comment Options
Vancarbon
Nov 17, 2025 11:34am
Permalink
Quoting Schultz
{quote} Fuck off to somewhere where your puerile retorts may be heard by those who love you, like the empty beer cans and pizza boxes and drunk school friends in your pick-up truck. Oh, didn't go to school? So, you're a MAGA fanboy.
A bit of advice here Schultz , don’t ever resort to vulgarity , you lose the moral high ground from an ethical point of view . You’re lowering yourself to the assailants stance and going head to head in a schoolyard ruck .

It’s neither worth the time or effort. Nameless entities will always linger and provoke knowing they can push your buttons at will . You’ve been on this site 5 months as a registered user . You have the artillery , humour and colloquial skills to outwit most of the agent provocateurs . Use those skills and let humour , sharp wit and the power of words do the talking .

Just a bit of friendly advice from someone who takes a fair amount of flak lol
Reply
future911
Nov 17, 2025 12:09pm
Permalink
Hey beer, pizza & friends doesn't sound like a bad idea
Reply
19monza64
Nov 17, 2025 11:27am
Permalink
Ah, neutral Switzerland bending the knee... ahem, I mean, "initiating a restart" of trade relations with the United States. What a spectacle of modern diplomacy.

The Sarcastic Summary of the Agreement:

Switzerland: "Here you go, Mr. Trump, a gold Rolex and a personalized gold bar. It's for... your collection? No, no, it's absolutely not a medieval attempt to curry favor with a sovereign."

The United States: "Thanks for the gifts... WE WANT ANOTHER 200 BILLION DOLLARS IN INVESTMENTS. And bring your pharmaceutical production here, thanks."

Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin: "We haven't sold our soul to the devil! We've only gone from 39% to 15% tariffs. And I'm satisfied! Call it a success. I don't play golf, unfortunately, it's my handicap in 21st-century diplomacy."

The Swiss Greens: "This is a surrender agreement! Our farmers and consumers will pay the price for this submission to the economic elite!"

Swiss Industry: "Great relief! Now we're only disadvantaged like all our competitors! We can 'restart'... from a position of lesser disadvantage. Hooray?"

The Highlights (from the "How to Get Dictated Terms with a Smile" handbook):

Rolex Diplomacy: Why send boring diplomats when you can send Trump's golfing buddies holding a watch that costs more than a minister's annual salary? Questionable method? Oh no, they were just there to "explain their position." Clearly, a PowerPoint presentation wouldn't have had the same effect as a gold ingot.

The Triumph of "Non-Surrender": Parmelin insists: it's not a capitulation. It's a "starting point." A starting point where you've already given away 200 billion and part of your industrial base, but the details (like the chlorinated chicken you might have to eat) are "still to be defined." A bold strategy.

The "Restart" That Looks Like a Recession: The Swiss economy shrank by 0.5%. The deal is a "great relief," but economists expect anemic growth and warn that the transfer of pharmaceutical production to the US will harm the Swiss economy in the medium term. So, it's a restart... downwards?

Parity of the Worst: "Now we're on par with our competitors!" cries the CEO of Swissmem. Not "ahead," not "at an advantage." On par. As in: we're also being taxed heavily, not just you. Is this the European dream?

In conclusion, Switzerland, famous for its neutrality and for safeguarding the world's secrets, has discovered that the only secret to making a deal with the Trump Administration is simple: bring golden gifts, promise astronomical sums, accept that you'll still be penalized, and call it a "victory."

A masterpiece of realpolitik. Or perhaps just the classic story of the little guy trying to negotiate with the neighborhood bully, offering him his lunch in exchange for not getting beaten up. But with a Rolex.
Reply
Schultz
Nov 17, 2025 7:06am
Permalink
I am very disappointed with the Swiss.

They pledged to invest two hundred billion in the US?? What? For a measly decrease in tariffs imposed on them by a dictator?

Guys, if you have a lazy 200 billion hanging around, hep your own economy if it needs it, not the US which is digging its own grave.

Gee, it is like never that I agree with the Greens, but perhaps they are different in Switzerland - says a Greens person -

“the Swiss economic elite and the Federal Council are bowing down to Donald Trump” with Swiss consumers and farmers likely to pay the price.

The party also questioned the involvement of business execs, saying the government had bought the deal with “questionable methods and gifts of gold.”

All that the Swiss pollie says is “I would be proud if we were back to zero percent tariffs. It’s been a long road, and the result is the best we could achieve. Above all, it gives us a starting point for the next negotiations,”

What a weakling. Your main export to the US is pharmaceuticals, and that was never an issue anyway. The Swiss excel in other areas what no other country can do, and you just bend over to a bogan in the hope of staying competitive? I'm calling BS.

Something else is going on. Like going to the aid of a charity case, the US.
Reply
Schultz
Nov 17, 2025 12:02pm
Permalink
Quoting Vancarbon
{quote} A bit of advice here Schultz , don’t ever resort to vulgarity , you lose the moral high ground from an ethical point of view . You’re lowering yourself to the assailants stance and going head to head in a schoolyard ruck . It’s neither worth the time or effort. Nameless entities will always linger and provoke knowing they can push your buttons at will . You’ve been on this site 5 months as a registered user . You have the artillery , humour and colloquial skills to outwit most of the agent provocateurs . Use those skills and let humour ,...
Oh, that was just the Brady Bunch family friendly version.

I had the presence of mind to leave the Quentin Tarantino cut on the editing floor.

Thankyou for your advice.
Reply
Schultz
Nov 17, 2025 10:41am — Edited
Permalink
Quoting Trader#0598
{quote} Poor baby
Fuck off to somewhere where your puerile retorts may be heard by those who love you, like the empty beer cans and pizza boxes and drunk school friends in your pick-up truck.

Oh, didn't go to school? So, you're a MAGA fanboy.
Reply
HudithePfupf
Nov 17, 2025 2:07pm
Permalink
Never negotiate with a criminal fraud like Trump.

They should have sued the shit out of the Trump Admin for the illegal tariffs. All these criminals will be in jail one day and the deal is worth nothing.

But all politicans and business leaders involved in that lousy deal have lost their face because the bowed down for the biggest idiot the world currently has to offer. Shame on them.
Reply
chemosi
Nov 17, 2025 11:50am
Permalink
"neutral Switzerland bending the knee.."
More like globalist deep state surrender...and straight into Trump's pocket....
Nothing to be disappointed about...it is all in the playbook...
With enough brain cells working, someone can deduce why Trump is against Epstein files release...
Reply
Schultz
Nov 17, 2025 2:21pm
Permalink
Quoting HudithePfupf
Never negotiate with a criminal fraud like Trump. They should have sued the shit out of the Trump Admin for the illegal tariffs. All these criminals will be in jail one day and the deal is worth nothing. But all politicans and business leaders involved in that lousy deal have lost their face because the bowed down for the biggest idiot the world currently has to offer. Shame on them.
Yeah, and I wonder on what basis the Swiss tariffs were imposed? If via emergency powers, then the Swiss are doing a deal that is very smelly as the tariffs could be struck down.

And that would make the Swiss look rather fraudulent in the eyes of the people. Any assurances that Trump made are useless. The Swiss ought to know this. I said I was disappointed, now I'm a bit incredulous.

This isn't going to end well.
Reply
chemosi
Nov 17, 2025 2:55pm
Permalink
...
So Trump TACO on not releasing Epstein files....
No one would have thought there would be worldwide non stop coverage from mainstream media...
mission accomplished...
Reply
wizzytech100
Nov 17, 2025 6:39am
Permalink
Selling souls is dangerous and risky business
Reply
Trader#0598
Nov 17, 2025 10:53am
Permalink
Quoting Schultz
{quote} Fuck off to somewhere where your puerile retorts may be heard by those who love you, like the empty beer cans and pizza boxes in your pick-up truck.
That's quite liberal of you. Please don't execute me next.
Reply
Fxsamy
Nov 17, 2025 5:50pm
Permalink
Quoting Schultz
I am very disappointed with the Swiss. They pledged to invest two hundred billion in the US?? What? For a measly decrease in tariffs imposed on them by a dictator? Guys, if you have a lazy 200 billion hanging around, hep your own economy if it needs it, not the US which is digging its own grave. Gee, it is like never that I agree with the Greens, but perhaps they are different in Switzerland - says a Greens person - “the Swiss economic elite and the Federal Council are bowing down to Donald Trump” with Swiss consumers and farmers likely...
Actually every major economy is investing in the US.
Saudi Arabia 1.2 trillion, UAE 1.3 trillion, India about 3 trillion, Brazil 2.3 trillion etc, not only Switzerland. That means these nations know something you don't know, and sees something you don't see.
Reply
Trader#0598
Nov 17, 2025 9:26am
Permalink
Quoting Schultz
I am very disappointed with the Swiss. They pledged to invest two hundred billion in the US?? What? For a measly decrease in tariffs imposed on them by a dictator? Guys, if you have a lazy 200 billion hanging around, hep your own economy if it needs it, not the US which is digging its own grave. Gee, it is like never that I agree with the Greens, but perhaps they are different in Switzerland - says a Greens person - “the Swiss economic elite and the Federal Council are bowing down to Donald Trump” with Swiss consumers and farmers likely...
Poor baby
Reply
Trader#0598
Nov 17, 2025 12:05pm
Permalink
Quoting Schultz
{quote} Oh, that was just the Brady Bunch family friendly version. I had the presence of mind to leave the Quentin Tarantino cut on the editing floor. Thankyou for your advice.
Thanks for leaving out the wanting to murder me version of your story.
Reply
Trader#C1BC
Nov 17, 2025 12:23pm
Permalink
You have to make hay while the sun shines while doing the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people.

I can't see any of you doing a better job. Or coming up with better solutions for that matter.
Reply
Trader#A306
Nov 17, 2025 6:09am
Permalink
No worries, Trump soon will blow you, as he did Bubba.
Reply
Trader#2FDF
Nov 17, 2025 6:56am
Permalink
No one care about they selling soul or not ….. zZzzzz lol
Reply
Trader#DA0B
Nov 17, 2025 11:48am
Permalink
Quoting 19monza64
I would be proud if we were back to zero percent tariffs.
What would be a fair trade agreement in regards to tariffs if not 15%?
Reply
Trader#B749
Nov 17, 2025 12:22pm
Permalink
Quoting future911
Hey beer, pizza & friends doesn't sound like a bad idea
YEP !
Reply
Trader#C2C2
Nov 17, 2025 12:30pm
Permalink
Y'all just STFU, talk to much. Just make your bread and go in through your day.
Reply
    • Older Stories  
    Hindustan Zinc secures tungsten mining licence in Andhra Pradesh, India

    From mining-technology.com|Nov 17, 2025

    Hindustan Zinc has secured a tungsten mining licence in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, a significant step in its strategy to diversify beyond zinc, lead and silver into ...

    EU Commission Raises Eurozone 2025 GDP Growth Forecast To 1.3% From 0.9%, Cuts 2026 To 1.2%...

    From @LiveSquawk|Nov 17, 2025|3 comments

    EU Commission Raises Eurozone 2025 GDP Growth Forecast To 1.3% From 0.9%, Cuts 2026 To 1.2% From 1.4% - Forecasts Eurozone 2025 Inflation At 2.1%, 1.9% In 2026, 2.0% In 2027 Vs 2.4% In 2024 - Forecasts Eurozone 2025 Aggregated Budget Deficit 3.2% Of GDP, 3.3% In 2026, 3.4% In… Autumn 2025 Economic Forecast shows continued growth despite challenging environment Economic growth exceeded expectations in the first nine months of the year, with real GDP growth outperforming the annual expansion projected in spring. This better-than-expected performance was initially due to a surge in exports ahead of anticipated tariff increases, but investment in equipment and intangible assets also performed more strongly than expected — most notably in Ireland, but also in other countries. Continued growth in the third quarter is testimony to the resilience of the European economy and its ability to navigate unprecedented shocks. Data from the Commission surveys and PMIs in October suggest continuing growth momentum in the coming quarters. Key conditions for an expansion in economic activity remain in place, despite a challenging external environment and persistent uncertainty. Growth is supported by a resilient labour market, decreasing inflation and favourable financing conditions. In addition, policy support from the Recovery and Resilience Facility and other EU fund

    Fed looks better priced

    From think.ing.com|Nov 17, 2025

    As Francesco Pesole outlined on Friday, last week's dollar sell-off had indeed come a little too far, a little too fast, and Friday's bounce was understandable. Helping that was a ...

  • Story Stats

  • Related Stories