Politicians see even greater challenge for Switzerland after Trump victory
Published: Wednesday, Nov 6th 2024, 17:00
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Many Swiss politicians believe that Swiss foreign policy faces even greater challenges than before following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. Several exponents said that Switzerland must now strengthen its relations with Europe.
In a world increasingly divided into blocs, Switzerland, with its small economy, has every interest in pursuing policy together with a strong Europe. Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter, a centrist foreign policy expert, said this on Swiss Radio SRF's "Rendez-vous" program.
The GLP National Councillors Corina Gredig and Tiana Moser also called for Switzerland's relations with Europe to be strengthened on the short message platform X, as did Sibel Arslan from the Green Party. The industry association Swissmem expects more protectionism from the USA under Trump - as do other Swiss business associations.
An active foreign and foreign trade policy will therefore become even more important. Swissmem is calling on Swiss politicians to resume exploratory talks for a free trade agreement with the USA. Center Vice President Charles Juillard also wants this.
For SP Co-President Cédric Wermuth, Switzerland also has a role to play at another level: It must insist on the importance of international agreements and support for Ukraine with other states during Trump's new term of office. FDP President Thierry Burkart said that Trump's election meant uncertainty for Switzerland.
Revival for neutrality?
Thomas Aeschi, leader of the SVP parliamentary group, also sees an opportunity for Switzerland in Trump's victory. Swiss neutrality policy could experience a "revival" in a world increasingly divided into blocs. "I definitely see potential for Switzerland as a mediator," said Aeschi.
Swiss politicians have also repeatedly expressed fears that Trump's return to power in the US does not bode well for democracy and fundamental rights.
Priska Seiler-Graf, President of the National Council's Security Committee, shared a comment from a magazine on the short message platform X. She commented that Trump's victory made "polarizing, misogynistic politics, the denial of the climate crisis and the strengthening of the power of rich elites acceptable". She was "deeply concerned", said the Zurich SP National Councillor.
The presidents of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Council and Council of States (APK-N and APK-S), however, were cautious about the consequences of the election. Much remains to be seen. Switzerland must keep a close eye on developments on the global political stage.
Trump will defend the US philosophy of a superpower, said APK-S President Marco Chiesa (SVP/TI). "It won't change that much for us in Switzerland." Because Trump is "a businessman", he could have positive effects from an economic perspective, Chiesa added.
Consensus on the reasons for Trump's victory
US Democrats living in Switzerland were "immensely disappointed" by Wednesday's election result, according to Peter Butterfield, treasurer of Democrats Abroad Switzerland. The Republicans had succeeded in instrumentalizing inflation and fear of immigration. The Democrats had lost contact with the working population.
Tariq Dennison from Republicans Overseas also sees inflation and immigration as the main reason for Trump's victory. He believes that the new Trump presidency in the USA does not mean a revolution, but that Trump will introduce small changes here and there to improve the economy and people's everyday lives.
Dennison reacted with "relief" and "great satisfaction" to Trump's election victory.
The helpless, headless and powerless Europe must dress warmly like Ukraine, commented the Tamedia newspapers on Wednesday. The "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" commented that the US had made a high-risk bet with the election of Donald Trump. And the newspapers of the CH-Media Group analyzed that the Americans had primarily spoken out against the continuation of the Biden-Harris policy.
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