Swiss authorities are studying the possibility of convincing the US to reduce the 39% import duties announced by the White House in exchange for direct purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Washington, the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper reports.
According to its information, after the failure of the tariff deal with Washington, Bern is “frenziedly looking for a way out of the current situation“. Switzerland may follow the example of the European Union, which managed to convince Washington to reduce tariffs in exchange for concessions in the energy sector. It is noted that Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin does not rule out the possibility of the confederation taking this path.
Tages-Anzeiger recalls that currently Switzerland buys natural gas exclusively on European wholesale markets. The country also lacks the infrastructure for direct supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. However, Bern is currently “exploring the possibility of changing this situation,” the publication notes.
Thus, the Ministry of Economy told the newspaper that the confederation “can, within its needs, import liquefied gas from sources outside the EU and include it in its energy balance.” The press service of the Swiss Gas Industry Association confirmed that it is ready to work with the government to “find solutions that meet the interests of the country.”