Category Archive: 3.) Swissinfo Business and Economy

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Why Switzerland’s patent office spends tens of thousands on nuts

2025-11-17

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2025-11-17

The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) buys nuts for its staff. The reason: to promote a fit mind. Anyone working at the IPI needs a sharp mind – employees there regularly have tough nuts to crack. For example: The IPI oversees patents, trademarks and designs in Switzerland. It fights product piracy, counterfeiting and …

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Average Swiss monthly household income in 2023 was CHF7,186

2025-11-17

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2025-11-17

The average disposable income of Swiss households was CHF7,186 ($9,040) per month in 2023. It therefore remained stable compared to previous years, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) said on Monday. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox But the FSO stressed that not all Swiss households will have this amount of money …

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White House hails ‘historic’ tariff deal with Switzerland

2025-11-17

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2025-11-17

The White House has praised the framework for a 'historic trade deal' negotiated with Switzerland. The agreement announced on Friday promises a lower US import tariff rate of 15% for Switzerland - down from 39% - in return for $200 billion in investments by Swiss companies in the US. +Get the most important news from …

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Swiss investors push for UBS to settle over Credit Suisse bond write-off

2025-11-17

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2025-11-17

Swiss bondholders are exploring ways to push for a settlement with UBS, after a court ruled that the CHF16.5 billion ($20.8 billion) write-off of Credit Suisse bonds during the bank’s 2023 rescue by its rival lacked a legal basis. The Swiss Federal Administrative Court delivered a surprise ruling last month that market regulator FINMA’s order …

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Switzerland among vanguard shaping global digital age

2025-11-17

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2025-11-17

A new deal on digital services trade between Singapore and EFTA states, including Switzerland, seeks to reconcile the need for privacy and security with the desire for innovation and growth in increasingly data-driven economies. It also shows that even coalitions of small economies can help set global standards in the new digital age. Behind our …

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Report: Swiss Federal Railways boss received death threats after contract awarded to Siemens

2025-11-16

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2025-11-16

Vincent Ducrot, CEO of Swiss Federal Railways, received death threats after awarding the German group Siemens an order for 116 new double-decker trains worth CHF2.1 billion ($2.6 billion), to the detriment of the Swiss railway manufacturer Stadler, according to SonntagsBlick newspaper. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox People speaking on condition …

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Dorothee Elmiger wins Swiss Book Prize

2025-11-16

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2025-11-16

Dorothee Elmiger has won this year's Swiss Book Prize for her novel Die Holländerinnen (The Dutch Women). +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The Swiss Book Prize is the third award Dorothee Elmiger has received for her novel Die Holländerinnen. She was honoured with the German Book Prize on her 40th …

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Swiss press question concessions in US tariff deal

2025-11-16

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2025-11-16

Swiss newspapers have questioned the deal struck with Washington and concessions made by Switzerland to allow the tariff rate on Swiss imports to be lowered from 39% to 15%. What exactly were they? Some doubts remain. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Switzerland and the United States announced on Friday that …

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Fribourg and Geneva residents triumph at Fondue World Championship

2025-11-16

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2025-11-16

Around 200 participants took part in the Fondue World Championship held in Tartegnin, canton Vaud, on Saturday. Swiss residents from Geneva and Fribourg took the top awards. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The competition was won by Benedikt Wüthrich from the Auboranges cheese dairy in canton Fribourg in the professional …

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Swiss farmers downplay impact of US tariff deal

2025-11-16

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2025-11-16

The recent US tariff rate cut to 15% and the details of the framework trade agreement with Washington have raised questions about the consequences for the Swiss agricultural sector. But a senior Swiss Farmers’ Union official plays down the impact of the deal. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The agreement …

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Tariffs: Switzerland is now on equal footing with EU/EFTA states, says economiesuisse

2025-11-15

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2025-11-15

The Swiss business federation economiesuisse has welcomed the trade agreement between Switzerland and the United States, which it says now puts the country on an equal footing with European Union and European Free Trade Area (EFTA) states. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Economiesuisse stressed that the 39% tariffs have not …

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US tariff rate cut: Swiss press are upbeat but warn of high cost

2025-11-15

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2025-11-15

The Swiss media has breathed a collective sigh of relief following the announcement of a framework trade agreement on Friday that includes Washington slashing its tariffs on imported Swiss products to 15% from 39% and a pledge by Swiss companies to invest $200 billion in the US by the end of 2028. But newspaper editorials …

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New tariffs could enter into force in 10-12 days, says Swiss economics minister

2025-11-15

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2025-11-15

Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin says the date of entry into force of new customs tariffs with the US is unclear - but could possibly begin in 10-12 days. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox "It takes a bit of time," Parmelin told Swiss public radio, SRF, on Friday. The US … Continue reading...

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Lessons from the US-Swiss tariff dispute: when the ends justify the means

2025-11-15

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2025-11-15

Tariff negotiations with the United States have been a steep learning curve for Switzerland and its trade diplomacy — and an unprecedented rollercoaster ride, concludes Matthias Pfander, a business correspondent for Swiss public TV, SRF. First came the shock in April: Switzerland appeared high up on Donald Trump’s tariff list during the specially staged “Liberation …

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Switzerland secures US tariff rate cut to 15%

2025-11-14

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2025-11-14

The United States will cut its tariffs on goods from Switzerland to 15% from 39% under a new framework trade agreement. Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin reached a deal after a whirlwind visit to Washington on Thursday, the Federal Council said on Friday. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox "Switzerland and …

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Around 1,500 construction workers protest in Zurich

2025-11-14

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2025-11-14

Around 1,500 construction workers took to the Zurich streets on Friday to protest against worsening conditions. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The first demonstrators gathered in the city centre early on Friday morning. Most construction sites in Zurich remained at a standstill, representatives of the Unia and Syna unions told …

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New RTS TV and radio studios inaugurated at EPFL campus

2025-11-14

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2025-11-14

The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) and its French-language service RTS have inaugurated a new TV and radio production site near Lausanne in western Switzerland. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building, located on the campus of the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), took place …

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Swiss Gruyère crowned world’s best cheese

2025-11-14

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2025-11-14

A Swiss Gruyère AOP cheese was crowned the world's best cheese at the World Cheese Awards 2025, held this year in Bern, Switzerland. The prestigious international competition brought together more than 5,000 participants from 45 countries. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The 18-month-old award-winning Gruyère comes from the Vorderfultigen cheese …

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Swiss authorities impose ban on sale of PFAS-tainted fish

2025-11-14

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2025-11-14

Pike and perch from Lake Zug in central Switzerland are too contaminated by PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals". Their sale or distribution as food is forbidden with immediate effect. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Representative samples of the stocks showed that the federal food safety limits had been exceeded, the Zug …

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Swiss tech sector feels the squeeze of Trump’s tariffs

2025-11-14

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2025-11-14

The Swiss tech industry remains under heavy pressure. On top of global political uncertainty and a strong Swiss franc, US tariffs are making life difficult for companies, it was reported on Friday. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Turnover rose by 3% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the …

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