There are also many unanswered questions for Switzerland after the election of Donald Trump: For example, what consequences a second Trump term in office will have for the Swiss economy. Or what his re-election means for political cooperation between Switzerland and the USA. The Swiss ambassador to the USA, Ralf Heckner, is confident about the renewed cooperation with Donald Trump.
Ralf Heckner
Swiss ambassador in Washington
Heckner has been the Swiss ambassador to Washington since last fall.
SRF News: Donald Trump as US President – does that make you nervous?
Ralf Heckner: No, we are well prepared for the new Trump administration. We’ve been through this before and have learned that we can also have good relations with the Trump administration.
Did you get any tips from your predecessors who were in office during Donald Trump’s first presidency?
Yes, I saw and met everyone, but I also exchanged ideas with my colleagues in the federal administration and here on site.
Are there any specific lessons learned for dealing with Trump?
In diplomacy and in relations with the USA, one thing is required above all: flexibility.
We have maintained contacts with the former Trump administration in recent years.
The USA is the most important trading partner for Switzerland. Swiss companies are partly worried because Donald Trump is talking about a possible tariff increase. What can you as an ambassador do in this uncertain situation?
We have maintained contacts with the former Trump administration in recent years. The feelers are now being put out and through working visits we will try to establish contact with the potential representatives of the new Trump administration and explain Switzerland’s interests.
Legend:
The Swiss Ambassador’s residence in Washington DC
Keystone/Martin Ruetschi/Archiv
Switzerland and the USA have recently developed good cooperation. A declaration was recently signed that enables young Swiss people to undertake professional internships in the USA. Now Donald Trump is coming to power, who has already called for the Education Department to be abolished. Is this the end of this cooperation between Switzerland and the USA in the field of education?
No. You mentioned apprenticeship training and exchanges. This is clearly a bipartisan issue; both Republicans and Democrats are interested in it. We have worked with both parties and administrations here. Americans and the administration continue to want the United States to be number one in innovation. So I think this will absolutely remain a priority for the new Trump administration. And we must also know that education in the United States is federal and there are many private institutes and universities. And in my opinion they will continue as before.
The interview was conducted by Livia Middendorp.
