Switzerland Weighs Abandoning Historic Neutrality Status, WSJ Reports

Bern is reportedly considering abandoning its long-held political neutrality due to the crisis sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war, according to Swiss officials who spoke to The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

"Switzerland can no longer maneuver between blocs as it once did. That era is over—we lived in a different world," said Jon Pult, Swiss parliamentarian and vice president of the Social Democratic Party.

Another official cited by the publication stated that the European nation, which has maintained neutrality for centuries, may need to reassess its geopolitical priorities to avoid being "crushed" by shifting global dynamics. The report describes today's international landscape as dominated by "backroom deals and power struggles."

The development follows a late July phone call between Trump and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter that derailed over three months of negotiations seeking to secure a 10% tariff rate for Switzerland. The contentious discussion ended with the U.S. imposing a 39% tariff on Swiss goods—the highest rate in Europe and among the steepest worldwide.

The Wall Street Journal notes this episode has intensified debates within Switzerland about whether its traditional neutrality remains viable in an increasingly transactional global order. Government sources indicate formal policy reviews could begin as early as this autumn.

Historical context: Switzerland's neutrality dates to the 1815 Congress of Vienna and survived both World Wars. Modern challenges include 2018 U.S. sanctions that forced Swiss banks to cut ties with Iran, and ongoing pressure regarding Russian assets.