Destructive effect: US tariffs cause tech industry exports to plummet

The fears expressed at the beginning of August have therefore been confirmed. Should the horrendous additional tariffs of 39% remain in place, it is anticipated that exports to the US will continue to decline in the fourth quarter of 2025. Even a highly competitive sector cannot simply shrug off trade barriers like these. 

Export figures to other markets clearly show how remarkably resilient and competitive the Swiss tech industry can be under fair conditions. Overall, goods exports increased by +4.0% in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2024. This is positive news in light of the current global economic uncertainties and raises hopes that global exports could stabilise at a low level in the near future.  

The export data from the third quarter of 2025 makes one thing clear: a resolution with the US is urgently needed. Swissmem is calling on the federal government to continue doing everything in its power to reach an agreement with the Trump administration. However, the US President’s agenda lies beyond the sphere of influence of Swiss politics. It is therefore all the more important that Parliament and the federal government turn their focus to those areas where they can make decisions themselves and improve the industry’s situation. 

• Switzerland needs free trade. The Federal Council, Parliament and, not least, the public must work to ease access to new sales markets. The free trade agreements with the Mercosur states, Thailand and Malaysia have to be ratified quickly. Improvements are also needed to the existing agreements with China, Japan and Mexico.  
• This alone will not be enough. Location costs in Switzerland need to be lowered to boost the competitiveness of the export industry. Swissmem has drawn up a petition outlining ten demands: You can sign it here: US tariff hammer hits Switzerland: secure jobs and help SMEs now!   
• It is particularly urgent that the Federal Act on War Material is amended in the coming weeks to facilitate war material exports. Only in this way can the Swiss defence industry survive economically and contribute to Switzerland’s security.