Switzerland "reduces tension between Beijing and Washington"

For several days, all eyes have been on Switzerland. And for good reason. This weekend, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva. An important meeting that puts the City of Calvin in the spotlight. Switzerland is not participating in the discussions, but "it has a facilitating role. If it can contribute to de-escalation, to reducing tensions between Beijing and Washington, that will be positive for the whole world," says Guy Parmelin . On Friday, the SVP Federal Councilor spoke to the press alongside Karine Keller-Sutter (FDP). The President of the Confederation stated that "both parties truly thanked Switzerland for organizing this meeting."

This aims to find a way out of the trade war that the two countries have been waging since US President Donald Trump announced an increase in customs duties . "The fact that the two sides are talking is already a success," said the Federal Councilor in charge of the Economy. Guy Parmelin does not rule out holding other events of this type in the future. "We will see if the two nations are satisfied after this weekend." A major breakthrough is unlikely. For the Vaudois elected official, "if the discussion leads to a roadmap, that would be a good thing."

At a time when International Geneva is weakened by American budget cuts, hosting this meeting demonstrates the key role of Calvin's city in Switzerland's host state policy. Is this enough to push Bern to do more to support International Geneva? Not necessarily. "We shouldn't mix everything up," according to Guy Parmelin, who doesn't see the connection and points out that these meetings have also been held in Zurich in the past.

For their part, the two federal representatives also met with the American and Chinese delegations to discuss the situation in Switzerland .