Six leading figures from Switzerland’s corporate landscape met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington this week, using the visit to underscore their support for a potential bilateral
trade agreement between the two countries.
In a joint statement released Wednesday evening, the executives described the purpose of the trip as an effort to highlight “the robustness and durability of economic relations” between Bern and Washington. They argued that a formal trade pact would deepen economic ties and deliver tangible benefits on both sides of the Atlantic.
The delegation included Diego Aponte of shipping giant MSC; Jean-Frédéric Dufour, CEO of watchmaker Rolex; Richemont chair Johann Rupert; Mercuria co-founder Daniel Jaeggi; Marwan Shakarchi of gold refiner MKS PAMP; and Alfred Gantner, co-founder of the investment firm Partners Group.
According to the statement, the meeting with Trump took place “in a constructive spirit,” allowing the Swiss business leaders to reaffirm their backing for ongoing government-level negotiations. The group stressed that they were not directly involved in any formal talks with the U.S. president.
A detailed account of their discussions has been submitted to the Swiss Federal Council and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco). The executives framed the initiative as an example of Switzerland’s public and private sectors working in concert. “In Switzerland, we know how to come together in the face of challenges,” the letter noted.
The six CEOs pledged to continue supporting the Swiss government “in its efforts to find a common path that will make Switzerland stronger and consolidate the cohesion and unity that is the strength of our people and our country.” Photo by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.
