Latest news with #MartinPfister
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Swiss open to new US defence orders to tackle tariffs
Switzerland's defence minister Martin Pfister said he was 'open' to placing new arms orders with the US as a way to try to reduce tariffs. (EPA Images pic) GENEVA : Switzerland's defence minister Martin Pfister said Sunday he was 'open' to placing new arms orders with the US as a way to try to reduce Washington's whopping tariffs. The Swiss government is seeking more talks with the US after a last-gasp mission to the US capital failed to stop a 39% tariff blow that businesses described as a 'horror scenario'. 'Military purchases are important for relations with the US,' Pfister told Switzerland's domestic Keystone-ATS news agency. 'However, we must first find a path for discussion with the Americans' to try to move relations forward overall, he said. US President Donald Trump blindsided the Swiss when he announced that the wealthy Alpine nation would be hit by one of the highest tariffs among new duties on imports from dozens of economies that took effect on Thursday. The tariff jeopardises entire sectors of the export-heavy Swiss economy, notably watchmaking and industrial machinery, but also chocolate and cheese. Swiss businesses worry that competitors in other wealthy economies will have an edge, with the EU and Japan having negotiated a 15% tariff and Britain securing a rate of 10%. Switzerland has argued that the US enjoys a significant services trade surplus and that most US industrial goods enter Switzerland tariff-free. Pfister stressed that the government had decided not to call into question Switzerland's current contract to buy 36 new Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets. 'The issue of the fixed price remains to be resolved,' he added. Switzerland and the US are quibbling over the final price of the F-35As bought to replace the ageing Swiss fleet. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency wants Switzerland to assume additional costs, but Bern says it is sticking to the agreed price of just over six billion Swiss francs (US$7.4 billion). The F-35A combat aircraft – already used by the US Air Force and several European countries – was chosen in June 2021 instead of the Airbus Eurofighter, the F/A-18 Super Hornet by Boeing, and French firm Dassault's Rafale. Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality and the landlocked European country has mandatory conscription for men.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Swiss open to new US defence orders to tackle tariffs
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Switzerland's defence minister Martin Pfister said that military purchases are important for relations with the United States. GENEVA - Switzerland's defence minister Martin Pfister said on Aug 10 that he was 'open' to placing new arms orders with the United States as a way to try to reduce Washington's whopping tariffs. The Swiss government is seeking more talks with the United States after a last-gasp mission to the US capital failed to stop a 39 per cent tariff blow that businesses described as a 'horror scenario'. 'Military purchases are important for relations with the United States,' Mr Pfister told Switzerland's domestic Keystone-ATS news agency. 'However, we must first find a path for discussion with the Americans' to try to move relations forward overall, he said. US President Donald Trump blindsided the Swiss when he announced that the wealthy Alpine nation would be hit by one of the highest tariffs among new duties on imports from dozens of economies that took effect on Aug 7. The tariff jeopardises entire sectors of the export-heavy Swiss economy, notably watchmaking and industrial machinery, but also chocolate and cheese. Swiss businesses worry that competitors in other wealthy economies will have an edge, with the European Union and Japan having negotiated a 15 per cent tariff and Britain securing a rate of 10 per cent. Switzerland has argued that the United States enjoys a significant services trade surplus and that most US industrial goods enter Switzerland tariff-free. Mr Pfister stressed that the government had decided not to call into question Switzerland's current contract to buy 36 new Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets. 'The issue of the fixed price remains to be resolved,' he added. Switzerland and the United States are quibbling over the final price of the F-35As bought to replace the ageing Swiss fleet. The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency wants Switzerland to assume additional costs, but Bern says it is sticking to the agreed price of just over six billion Swiss francs (S$9.5 billion). The F-35A combat aircraft – already used by the US Air Force and several European countries – was chosen in June 2021 instead of the Airbus Eurofighter, the F/A-18 Super Hornet by Boeing, and French firm Dassault's Rafale. Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality and the landlocked European country has mandatory conscription for men. AFP
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Swiss consider US arms deals to counter high tariff impact
GENEVA: Switzerland's defence minister Martin Pfister has expressed willingness to place new arms orders with the United States as part of efforts to address Washington's steep 39% tariffs. The Swiss government is pursuing further discussions with US officials after failing to prevent the tariffs, which took effect recently and threaten major export sectors. 'Military purchases are important for relations with the United States,' Pfister told Swiss news agency Keystone-ATS. He emphasised the need for constructive dialogue to improve bilateral ties while addressing economic concerns. The tariffs, imposed by the US on Swiss imports, risk harming key industries such as watchmaking, machinery, chocolate, and cheese. Swiss businesses fear losing ground to competitors in the EU, Japan, and Britain, which secured lower tariff rates of 15% and 10% respectively. Switzerland highlights its services trade surplus with the US and tariff-free access for most American industrial goods. Pfister confirmed that Switzerland remains committed to its existing deal to buy 36 F-35A fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. 'The issue of the fixed price remains to be resolved,' he added, referring to ongoing negotiations over the six-billion-franc ($7.4 billion) contract. The US has pushed for additional costs, but Switzerland insists on honouring the agreed price. Selected in 2021 over rival bids from Airbus, Boeing, and Dassault, the F-35A will replace Switzerland's ageing fighter fleet. As a neutral but well-armed nation, Switzerland maintains mandatory military conscription for men. – AFP
Korea Herald
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Swiss say foreign spying threat high, citing Russia, China
The threat from espionage is high in Switzerland as global insecurity increases, with the main threats emanating from Russia and China, the country's Federal Intelligence Service warned Wednesday. "The security situation around Switzerland is deteriorating year by year," the FIS said in its annual overview. "A global confrontation is emerging, with the USA on one side and China and Russia on the other. This has direct implications for Switzerland: the threat of espionage is high and proliferation activities are increasing." The global context has direct implications for Switzerland, a militarily neutral country which hosts multiple international organisations. The confrontation is "increasing pressure" on the wealthy Alpine nation, making it "a key target for foreign intelligence services", the FIS said. The report said several countries had posted undercover intelligence officers in Switzerland. "They pass themselves off as diplomatic personnel, business people, media representatives or tourists, for example," it said. "The greatest espionage threats come from Russia and China, both maintaining a strong intelligence presence in Switzerland. They are interested in federal authorities, companies, international organisations, and research institutions." Unlike the intelligence services of many other states -- which primarily spy on their own diaspora -- China and Russia have sufficient resources to pursue other targets, according to the FIS. They are also going after police forces, foreign diplomatic missions, journalists and universities, the Switzerland's Security 2025 report said. Russia and China have "undercover personnel at diplomatic missions", it noted. Swiss defence minister Martin Pfister said Switzerland's security environment had "deteriorated drastically" since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The report said Moscow and Beijing would continue conducting intelligence operations in Switzerland against Western states, including preparatory activities for hybrid warfare. "Switzerland faces an increasing risk of being used illicitly for the preparation or perpetration of abductions, sabotage and assassinations abroad," it said. Meanwhile the FIS expects no decrease in the amount of espionage against exiled opposition figures and journalists living in Switzerland. "Geneva, as an international meeting point, will remain a hotspot for illegal intelligence," it added. "We have never experienced such a density of threats. We are not mere observers: we are directly affected," said FIS director Christian Dussey. He said the agency's strategic radar was tracking 15 international crisis hotspots. Dussey said foreign spies were also interested in Switzerland's technological innovation sector. The FIS also said the intensifying competition among major powers made Switzerland a preferred target for sanctions evasion attempts and proliferation. "Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly attempting to procure dual-use goods and technologies for their military and nuclear programmes through Switzerland," it said. Furthermore, the agency said the terror threat was elevated in Switzerland, primarily from individuals inspired by jihadist ideology. "A major challenge is the online radicalisation of youth, which can happen quickly, making early detection critical," it said. (AFP)
Mint
25-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Swiss Admit Spat With US on Fighter Jet Price, Still Want F-35A
Switzerland and the US are at odds on the agreed price for three dozen F-35A fighter jets the country wants to buy from Lockheed Martin Corp., adding to existing tensions over US tariffs. The Swiss government said Wednesday that a price was set in the purchase deal, but that US officials have now said that this is a 'misunderstanding' and the planes will cost more. 'A contract is a contract, one should think,' National Armaments Director Urs Loher told reporters in Bern. 'But with respect to the purchase of the F-35A, we are now facing a different reality. Despite a set price, Switzerland is confronted' with as much as $1.3 billion of additional costs, he said. Switzerland didn't procure the fighter jets directly from Lockheed Martin, but via the US government, which is responsible for negotiating prices for the next production lines. The two countries have now started diplomatic talks to resolve the issue, Defense Minister Martin Pfister said. The Defense Ministry plan sees the acquisition of 36 planes for 6 billion francs to replace old jets in the Swiss air force. In 2020, Swiss voters very narrowly approved the purchase with the price capped at that amount. A report by public broadcaster SRF that costs will increase by more than 1 billion francs has previously stoked calls for a new debate in parliament or even another plebiscite. The purchase is also under attack due to the shift in US foreign policy, with left-wing politicians pushing for Switzerland to opt for a European supplier instead. According to the statement, Switzerland is sticking with its plan to buy the F-35A and is aiming for a 'diplomatic solution.' 'From a military point of view, buying the F-35A is imperative,' Loher said. 'Withdrawing from the contract would only be considered as a very, very last resort.' The deal isn't part of current trade talks with the US, Swiss President and Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter told reporters in Bern. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
