Latest news with #Pfister

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
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First Post
25-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
Switzerland in talks with US after F-35 fighter jet price dispute threatens $7.4 billion deal
Switzerland was informed the price for the F-35s would be dearer because of higher raw materials and energy costs, as well as higher US inflation, with the sum potentially increasing by $650 million to $1.3 billion, the government said read more A Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jet performs during an exhibition flight at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, on June 16, 2025. Reuters File Switzerland is holding talks with the United States after Washington tried to raise the price of new fighter jets Bern is buying for its air force, the government said on Wednesday. Bern chose Lockheed Martin's F-35A Lightning II as its next-generation fighter plane in 2021, with a fixed price of around 6 billion Swiss francs ($7.4 billion) for 36 jets, a decision that attracted controversy in neutral Switzerland. But the US Joint Program Office overseeing the project said last year the price could be higher, and the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency told Switzerland in February that the fixed price was a misunderstanding. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Switzerland was informed the price for the F-35s would be dearer because of higher raw materials and energy costs, as well as higher US inflation, with the sum potentially increasing by $650 million to $1.3 billion, the government said. 'A contract is a contract,' said Urs Loher, head of Swiss defence procurement agency Armasuisse. 'With the procurement of the F-35A fighter aircraft, we're suddenly faced with a different reality, despite a clear fixed price.' As the agreement prevents a legal settlement of the dispute, a diplomatic solution must be sought, the government said. Defence Minister Martin Pfister said talks were now under way with the U.S. authorities. 'We still believe we'll find a solution with the U.S. authorities because they also have an interest in being perceived as a reliable contractual partner,' Pfister said, while as a last resort Switzerland could cancel the deal. The decision to buy the F-35A was contested in Switzerland, with opponents arguing against replacing the country's aging F/A-18 jets with an unnecessary 'Ferrari' option. Critics said Switzerland did not need cutting-edge warplanes to defend its territory, which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes. The F-35A beat bids from Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Rafale produced by France's Dassault and the four-nation Eurofighter built by Italy's Leonardo, Britain's BAE Systems and Airbus representing Germany and Spain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Still, Switzerland said it remained committed to the F-35A, and that cancelling the order would have serious consequences. 'Switzerland would no longer be able to guarantee the safety of its airspace and population from 2032, as the current F/A-18 fighter aircraft would reach the end of their service life,' Pfister said.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switzerland in talks with US as cost of F-35A fighter jets rises
By John Revill and Marleen Kaesebier ZURICH (Reuters) -Switzerland is holding talks with the United States after Washington tried to raise the price of new fighter jets Bern is buying for its air force, the government said on Wednesday. Bern chose Lockheed Martin's F-35A Lightning II as its next-generation fighter plane in 2021, with a fixed price of around 6 billion Swiss francs ($7.4 billion) for 36 jets, a decision that attracted controversy in neutral Switzerland. But the U.S. Joint Program Office overseeing the project said last year the price could be higher, and the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency told Switzerland in February that the fixed price was a misunderstanding. Switzerland was informed the price for the F-35s would be dearer because of higher raw materials and energy costs, as well as higher U.S. inflation, with the sum potentially increasing by $650 million to $1.3 billion, the government said. "A contract is a contract," said Urs Loher, head of Swiss defence procurement agency Armasuisse. "With the procurement of the F-35A fighter aircraft, we're suddenly faced with a different reality, despite a clear fixed price." As the agreement prevents a legal settlement of the dispute, a diplomatic solution must be sought, the government said. Defence Minister Martin Pfister said talks were now under way with the U.S. authorities. "We still believe we'll find a solution with the U.S. authorities because they also have an interest in being perceived as a reliable contractual partner," Pfister said, while as a last resort Switzerland could cancel the deal. The decision to buy the F-35A was contested in Switzerland, with opponents arguing against replacing the country's aging F/A-18 jets with an unnecessary "Ferrari" option. Critics said Switzerland did not need cutting-edge warplanes to defend its territory, which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes. The F-35A beat bids from Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Rafale produced by France's Dassault and the four-nation Eurofighter built by Italy's Leonardo, Britain's BAE Systems and Airbus representing Germany and Spain. Still, Switzerland said it remained committed to the F-35A, and that cancelling the order would have serious consequences. "Switzerland would no longer be able to guarantee the safety of its airspace and population from 2032, as the current F/A-18 fighter aircraft would reach the end of their service life," Pfister said. ($1 = 0.8067 Swiss francs)


Chicago Tribune
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Thousands take to the streets Saturday to protest Trump at Naperville's ‘No Kings' rally
From immigrant and reproductive rights to DOGE accessing personal data, Sharon Pfister keeps a list of her grievances with President Donald Trump's administration on her phone so she can regularly refer back to them. One of her latest concerns was the Saturday military parade in Washington, D.C., to recognize the U.S. Army's 250th birthday, which was being held at the same time that veterans benefits are being cut, said Pfister, a Woodridge resident. The military parade also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday. Despite growing up during the Vietnam War era, Pfister said she had never been to a protest or rally before Trump was elected. But they're more important now than ever, she said Saturday while attending the 'No Kings' rally in downtown Naperville. 'I am afraid of our democracy being disembodied little by little,' she said. A Naperville police officer monitoring the scene estimated a few thousand demonstrators participated in the gathering, which started at the Naperville Municipal Center and proceeded through the downtown streets as people carried homemade signs and chanted and drivers passing by honked their car horns. 'I feel to stay silent is to be complicit,' Mary Sunderland, a Woodridge resident, said. 'Every day is a new horror.' Among the most recent was the attack Thursday on U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, who tried to ask a question at a news conference being held by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and was removed from the room by security officers, taken to the ground and handcuffed. 'If they do that to a senator, what are they doing to a poor migrant?' Sunderland said. Immigrant rights was one of many concerns protesters voiced via signs with messages readying, 'Due process for immigrants,' 'Immigrants aren't enemies' and 'No human is illegal.' 'The way they are treating immigrants is horrendous,' said Hugh Flanders, of Aurora, a retired social studies teacher. 'How are we standing still and watching people being hunted because their skin color is wrong,' said Violet Lekic, of Romeoville. 'What is being done in Washington in America's name is not American.' Suzanne Akhras, a Syrian-American humanitarian activist, spoke of growing up in Syria when Hafez al-Assad came into power after a bloody coup. 'History has shown us repeatedly that dictatorships undermine the very principles of liberty and justice that we all enjoy,' said Akhras, who immigrated to the United States when she was 10. 'Dictatorships concentrate power only in a few of the elite that cozy up to that dictator, and it creates corruption and unfair systems for everyone. They suppress free thought and free speech and violate our basic human rights.' Akhras said the world is watching the United States. 'The right to protest is more than just an American privilege. It's a responsibility,' she said. '… Let's not squander this moment.' About 2,000 rallies took place nationwide as the 'No Kings' movement marked a nationwide day of defiance to denounce the Trump administration. 'We don't want kings. We don't want oligarchs,' Nancy Turner, co-leader of Indivisible Naperville, said. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, addressed the Naperville crowd, saying he was trying to attend seven similar protests. 'You are not alone,' Foster said. '… Our democracy has been sucker-punched here.' Several attendees said they felt they needed to stand up for democracy. 'The change of government from democracy to fascism is my main concern,' said Shelley Gale, of Willowbrook. It took Gale two weeks to narrow down what she wanted to include on her protest sign, but ultimately decided on 'A con man is stealing your government' for the front and 'A draft dodger is firing veterans' on the back. 'I don't think Trump cares about anything but stealing our government,' she said. 'He's causing chaos and havoc. There's no due process and he's getting away with it.' Jim and Terri Simak, of Naperville, said they believe the country is going backwards. 'What is happening these days is beyond reasonable understanding,' Terri Simak said. 'It's wrong and it's dangerous. Trump feels he is above the law and that's not what we believe in.' The Rev. Sharon Rice, deacon of discipleship with the Community United Methodist Church in Naperville, said that as a person of faith she was concerned about the rise of Christian nationalism, people suffering, cuts to Medicaid and cruelty towards others. Rice said she hopes the rallies across the country send a powerful message. 'There are people who do care about their neighbors,' she said. 'They care about the cuts to social services that the vulnerable rely on. They are tired of this cruelty. There's a positive message to our young people and the country they will inherit: There is hope down the road.'