Switzerland should order a 39% export tax on gold bars for the US (Swatch Group CEO)

Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek told Swiss newspaper Blick that Trump’s announcement indicated that tariffs on gold would be painful for the US president. “Now is the time to go on the offensive. Switzerland should order a 39% export tax on gold bars for the US,” Hayek told the paper. “That’s where we have to get at him. That’s his Achilles’ heel.”
The Swiss Association of Manufacturers and Traders in Precious Metals (ASFCMP) said that while ideas to better balance bilateral trade were welcome, careful consideration needed to be given to Switzerland’s longer-term interests. “An export tax on Swiss gold destined for the US would not only harm Switzerland economically, but also damage the reputation of a country that has consistently promoted and defended free trade,” ASFCMP President Christoph Wild said.
The Swiss Economy Ministry declined to comment on the proposal, but said the support of business representatives was in general welcome and helped underscore the close economic ties between the US and Switzerland. Trump justified his 39% tariff by pointing to Switzerland’s sizeable trade surplus with the US. Part of that is due to gold exports.