Bern buckles to Washington

Switzerland has agreed to lift customs barriers for American products without winning any concessions from Washington in return.

President Guy Parmelin promised his US counterpart that Bern will honour part of the deal struck last winter, even as US punitive tariffs on Swiss goods remain in force. 

The Federal Council granted the concessions unilaterally, and parliamentary committees were only informed after Parmelin's announcement to the media. 

MPs from several parties are calling the move undemocratic and are demanding to know why the government gave ground with nothing to show for it. 

The row lands as Swiss exporters continue to absorb the cost of American duties.

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