Weißes Haus: USA verhängen Zölle auf Drohnen und Bauteile

In February, the Supreme Court declared Trump's tariffs illegal, but the President's controversial tariffs continued to cause global turbulence. Recently, new developments emerged. The NZZ.ch website requires JavaScript for essential functions. Your browser or ad-blocker is currently preventing this. With his tariff announcements, Donald Trump exceeded his authority.

The Supreme Court decided in February 2026 that Trump had misused a national emergency act allowing presidents to issue decrees without congressional approval. The ruling did not specify how long Trump had to lift the tariffs. The practical implementation, such as adjusting tariff rates or potential refunds, falls to the responsible authorities.

Promptly responding to the ruling, Trump announced alternatives to generate more revenue. The next day, he imposed a global tariff of 10 percent, which he later increased to 15 percent. Utilizing Section 301 of a 1974 trade act, Trump imposed tariffs for up to 150 days if other countries employed unfair trade practices. A longer-term agreement required congressional approval.

In early June, Trump threatened to impose new tariffs, again under Section 301, targeting 60 trade partners. The Swiss received 12.5 percent, while the EU faced 10 percent. These tariffs took effect on July 24, 2025. Trump first announced a system of reciprocal tariffs for countries worldwide on Liberation Day in early April 2025.

He threatened tariffs as early as January 2025, hoping to boost American industrial production, create jobs, reduce the trade deficit, and increase tax revenues. Simultaneously, Trump planned to use tariff threats as leverage in negotiations. Following the announcement, Trump temporarily suspended or postponed tariffs multiple times to give affected countries time for negotiations.

In early August, tariffs were imposed on imports from seventy countries. Many hoped to reach bilateral agreements before August. However, few countries succeeded. Britain, Japan, and the EU agreed with the Trump administration, while others faced penalties. Some countries, including India, South Korea, and Switzerland, eventually negotiated lower tariffs.

Switzerland waited until late July 2025 for a decision, receiving a harsh penalty of 39 percent. This exceeded the 31 percent threatened in April 2025, which was initially only 90-day suspension. Despite intense negotiations, Switzerland was initially subject to one of the highest tariff rates. The 39 percent tariff affected various Swiss industries, such as machinery manufacturers, watchmakers, and Nestlé, which exports Nespresso coffee capsules to the US.

Pharmaceuticals were exempt from these penalties. A breakthrough between the Swiss and American governments occurred in November 2025, with the US offering to reduce the penalty from 39 to 15 percent. In return, Switzerland pledged billion-dollar investments in the US, as well as US tariff reductions on certain products. The deal is a non-binding statement, with a binding agreement to follow.

After the February Supreme Court ruling, the Swiss Federal Council confirmed they would continue negotiations with the US. The EU also negotiated with American officials for several weeks to avoid the threatened 30 percent tariffs. By late July, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to a base tariff of 15 percent for most products, including cars, while US-made cars would be duty-free in the EU.

Trucks and buses faced 25 and 10 percent tariffs, respectively. Companies could reclaim 3.75 percent of vehicle sales prices for vehicles built in the US. The same applies to cars. US steel and aluminum tariffs remain at 50 percent. The EU pledged to buy $750 billion in energy and invest $600 billion in the US. Military production also remains targeted for tariffs.