Switzerland considers enlisting FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ease Trump tariffs Switzerland is seriously considering enlisting tennis legend Roger Federer or FIFA President Gianni Infantino as informal diplomatic channels to help resolve the crippling 39% tariffs imposed by the United States on Swiss goods last week. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter acknowledged the unconventional approach while maintaining that formal negotiations would remain government-led, and she expressed cautious hope that talks could be settled by October. Speaking to broadcaster Tele Zueri on Monday, Keller-Sutter said the government would not object if prominent figures who know Trump personally had conversations with him about the tariff issue. The comments represent a notable shift toward celebrity diplomacy as Switzerland grapples with some of the highest tariffs imposed under Trump's global trade reset, affecting nearly 60% of Swiss exports to its largest market. Infantino's Trump Connection Emerges as Key Asset Swiss politicians have particularly focused on Infantino, the Swiss-born FIFA president who has cultivated a close relationship with Trump over recent years. The two men shared the stage at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey last month, where Trump appeared alongside Infantino for the trophy presentation. Trump has repeatedly praised Infantino as "a friend of mine," "a winner," and "an excellent guy" in multiple public appearances. National Councillor Roland Rino Büchel from the Swiss People's Party told the Financial Times that "it is definitely time to bring in Gianni Infantino now without further delay to help open doors". Büchel, who knows both Infantino and Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin personally, believes the FIFA president could provide crucial access to Trump during the tariff crisis. The relationship between Infantino and Trump has deepened significantly, with Infantino attending Trump's inauguration and opening a FIFA office in Trump Tower. Trump even claimed that Infantino gave him the original FIFA Club World Cup trophy to keep permanently in the Oval Office, though this sparked some controversy. October Deadline Looms as Talks Continue Keller-Sutter expressed hope that tariff negotiations could be concluded by October, referencing comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about resolving trade issues by that timeframe. Bessent told the Japanese newspaper Nikkei that the U.S. aims to wrap up negotiations with countries lacking formal trade agreements by late October, describing tariffs as something that "should be a melting ice cube" if trade deficits improve. However, Switzerland's position remains precarious after high-level diplomatic efforts failed last week. Keller-Sutter and Economics Minister Parmelin made an emergency trip to Washington but returned empty-handed after meeting only with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, not Trump himself. Trump dismissed Keller-Sutter's arguments in their July 31 phone call, telling CNBC that "the woman was nice, but she didn't want to listen" to his concerns about the $39 billion trade deficit. Economic Impact Forces Creative Solutions The 39% tariff rate significantly exceeds those imposed on other developed nations, the EU faces 15% tariffs while Switzerland confronts the highest rate among developed countries. The measure threatens key Swiss exports including watches, machinery, and chocolate, prompting warnings from industry groups about thousands of endangered jobs. Keller-Sutter warned that Switzerland would not accept "any price" to resolve the dispute, stating that "it cannot be that, to put it simply, we just pay, worsen our business location and then still have high customs duties". The Swiss government has ruled out immediate countermeasures, instead focusing on relief strategies for export-driven businesses while keeping dialogue open with Washington. The tariff crisis has exposed Switzerland's limited leverage as a small, neutral country operating without the protective umbrella of larger trade blocs like the EU. Some officials now question whether the country's long-cherished independence has become a liability in today's aggressive bilateral trade environment.
