Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein urge stable US trade ties

European ministers call for stable U.S. trade relations amid policy uncertainty

Zurich meeting highlights need to strengthen economic cooperation

ZURICH, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The economy ministers of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein on Friday urged the United States to pursue stable trade relations and said it was vital to strengthen economic cooperation while uncertainty over U.S. policy persists.

Speaking a week after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down sweeping tariffs imposed last year by President Donald Trump, the ministers stressed the need to boost competitiveness and remove barriers to trade following a meeting in Zurich.

Germany warns tariffs harm trade and the U.S. economy

Reiche says export-oriented economies rely on predictable ties

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said the export-oriented economies of the four German-speaking countries relied on stable trade relations and that tariffs were damaging both to international commerce and the U.S. economy.

Tariffs seen as fueling higher consumer prices

"The tariffs have simply led to higher consumer prices," Reiche told reporters at a press conference alongside her counterparts from the other three countries.

Switzerland seeks clarity in talks with Washington

Parmelin says uncertainty hurts business conditions

Her Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin, who is also the country's president for 2026, said uncertainty over trading conditions was detrimental to business and that this would be part of Switzerland's ongoing trade discussions with Washington.

Call for faster resolution to create a win-win outcome

"The sooner the United States brings clarity, the better the situation will be for everyone," Parmelin said. "That will then really be a win-win situation and not a lose-lose one."

Austria urges Europe to diversify market access

Hattmannsdorfer calls for EU confidence amid erratic policy

Austrian Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said while U.S. policy continued to be erratic, it was vital for European economies to diversify and expand their market access.

Message to EU: act with clarity and self-confidence

"We don't need to be afraid of Donald Trump, and shouldn't be," Hattmannsdorfer said. "Now's the time for the European Union to act with self-confidence and with clarity."

Credits

(Reporting by Dave Graham, editing by Linda Pasquini and Thomas Seythal)