The umbrella organization of Swiss business, Economiesuisse, is taking a combative stance on three issues. For Switzerland is a lot at stake.
Umbrella organization of the Swiss economy, Economiesuisse, has dedicated this year’s “Business Day” in Baden AG to the challenging situation surrounding trade conflicts, geopolitical power struggles, and global economic uncertainties.
Relieve companies
However, the Swiss economy is successful precisely because it is built upon a globally-oriented financial center with a strong export economy, emphasized Economiesuisse President Christoph Mäder in his speech this Friday.
“We now need a joint effort to strengthen Switzerland as a business location and ease the burden on companies,” he said.
What this specifically means was explained in three parts.
Big bank not too big
In front of the assembled business celebrities, UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti addressed the first topic, which concerned the planned increase in capital requirements at the major bank.
Switzerland should not ‘overdo it’ internationally, the warning goes, even if the major bank may appear too large in relation to its economic output from a national perspective.
The framework conditions in Switzerland must continue to support entrepreneurial success, growth and international competitiveness in the future, said Ermotti.
The reasons that led to the demise of Credit Suisse and the emergency merger with the major bank UBS are not even on the table yet, the UBS CEO emphasized.
Parmelin with new offer
The second topic was US President Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs. SVP Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin was conspicuously absent. He had to cancel his participation because he was flying to the US to meet with US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick.
The focus was on an improved offer from Switzerland to the USA.
On “Business Day,” it was said that the pharmaceutical industry had made ‘significant improvements’ in this regard.
This will ensure that Swiss companies are relieved of the 39 percent punitive tariffs as quickly as possible.
Martullo-Blocher isolated
The third concern for the interaction between the financial and industrial locations was the controversial issue of the Switzerland-EU negotiation package.
The President of Economiesuisse revealed that the previous evening there had been broad support in the interest group, with practically only one vote against and two abstentions.
At the event, it became clear that Ems-Chemie CEO and SVP National Councillor Magdalena Martullo-Blocher, representing the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences Association (Science Industries), had opposed the project.
On the same day, the interest group announced its support for the package of bilateral agreements III with the EU.
Only 95 of 14,000 legal acts
EU supporter Ypsomed CEO Simon Michel, representing Swiss Medtech, explained to muula.ch on the sidelines of the conference that a good relationship with neighbouring countries is important and that the bilateral path is therefore essential for Switzerland.
Of 14,000 legal acts, Switzerland would only adopt 95 anyway.
Unhindered access to the EU market is particularly important for eliminating trade barriers in sectors with regulated products, just as the free movement of persons helps to elegantly solve the labor problem in Switzerland.
Relying solely on the 1972 free trade agreement is not enough, says Michel.
Individual consideration
The only reservations about an unconditional “yes” to the Switzerland-EU negotiation package came from Marco Gadola, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the trading company DKSH and member of the Board of Directors of Bühler, in the transformer halls in Baden.
He said at a panel discussion that until the vote on the Switzerland-EU package takes place, citizens must individually weigh up whether market access is worth giving up much of the country’s independence.
But, virtually no one from the EU turbos wanted to hear that.
New logo presented
Until the three issues – UBS equity, US tariffs, and the EU package – are resolved, they will continue to be of major public concern.
In any case, Economiesuisse is entering the fray with a more-airy logo and a new external appearance.
“Without a strong economy, there can be no strong Switzerland,” is the motto.
How much equity UBS will provide, how many concessions to the US, and how much Brussels will funnel to Bern will clearly be the challenge for Switzerland.
05.09.2025/kut./ena.
