Swiss president hopes 'Holy Spirit' might guide US-China weekend talks in Geneva over tariffs

GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland's president lamented “disappointing” talks Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump's treasury caput that did not easiness stiff U.S. tariffs connected Swiss goods, but expressed anticipation for a solution to a much consequential U.S.-China face-off connected tariffs successful Geneva this weekend.

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, who besides serves arsenic concern minister, said she was nevertheless encouraged by the talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arsenic Switzerland tries to wriggle retired of hefty 31% U.S. tariffs of Swiss goods arsenic portion of Trump's sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs connected countries astir the globe.

Their gathering was lone an appetizer for the perchance market-moving talks Saturday and Sunday betwixt Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng successful Geneva. Keller-Sutter besides met with the Chinese envoy, but said it was simply a courtesy.

As for the U.S.-China talks, the Swiss person alluded to the predetermination of the archetypal U.S.-born pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, and quipped: "I said to Secretary Bessent that seemingly the Holy Spirit was successful Rome yesterday, and I anticipation that helium volition travel to Geneva implicit the weekend.”

The talks person been shrouded successful secrecy and the Chinese and U.S. sides person declined to specify wherever they volition instrumentality spot different than determination successful Geneva, which hosted U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin successful 2021 — earlier Russia’s full-scale penetration of Ukraine.

While the U.S. medication has temporarily suspended the astir terrible tariffs against each people state but China, the 31% complaint — if restored — would enactment Switzerland successful a worse presumption than its neighbors successful the European Union, which are to look 20% U.S. tariffs connected EU goods.

The Swiss authorities said its talks Friday with Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were “convivial and constructive” and were aimed to laic retired the guidelines for a woody connected the contented of customs duties to beryllium discussed again successful coming weeks.

On April 9 — a week aft Trump announced the U.S. “reciprocal” tariffs — helium spoke with Keller-Sutter by telephone and aboriginal announced a intermission successful their implementation for 90 days and capped the further U.S. tariffs astatine 10% for astir countries, with the notable objection of China.

“Of course, it is disappointing," Keller-Sutter said erstwhile asked astir the deficiency of a woody successful talks with Bessent, earlier alluding to her earlier telephone speech with Trump. “I besides told President Trump that this was not fair. But connected the different hand, you know, I mean, we’re not looking back, we are looking forward.”

"And we’re truly encouraged by the talks we had that we’re going to find a solution, and the U.S. broadside truly engaged with Switzerland besides to find a swift solution,” she told reporters.

Keller-Sutter trumpeted Swiss concern successful the United States, saying it has created 400,000 jobs and “average wage $130,000, which is simply a lot” successful the United States. She said she didn't cognize whether her telephone with Trump connected April 9 convinced him to easiness backmost connected the tariffs, earlier adding with a laugh: “He should perceive to women.”

Going into the play talks betwixt Bessent and He, the U.S. slapped 145% tariffs connected Chinese goods, and Beijing has responded with 125% tariffs connected U.S. goods. Earlier Friday, Trump floated the imaginable that those could beryllium lowered sharply successful a societal media post.

“80% Tariff connected China seems right!" Trump wrote connected his societal media account, earlier alluding to Bessent. "Up to Scott B.”