Swiss watch exports (October 2025) EQUITY: JAPAN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS Lower US tariffs on Swiss goods not a major concern In a joint statement issued on 14 November, the US and Switzerland said they expected the US tariff on imports from Switzerland to be lowered to 15%. We see no major changes in pricing strategy in the near term as Swiss watchmakers still have inventories dating from before the imposition of tariffs in the US. We see no major impact on US sales at Casio Computer [6952], Citizen Watch [776 ...

Group 1: Tariff Policy Changes - President Trump announced significant tariff cuts on various food items, including beef, coffee, and tropical fruit, to combat rising grocery prices and ease inflation concerns [2][3] - The removal of tariffs has been met with mixed reactions, with companies like Starbucks and Hormel Foods potentially benefiting from lower input costs [3][4] - The market's immediate response to the tariff rollbacks was characterized by volatility, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping nearly 800 points (1.7%) on November 13, 2025, and continuing to decline the following day [4] Group 2: International Trade Agreements - The U.S. reached a significant trade deal with Switzerland, reducing tariffs on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%, with Swiss companies pledging to invest $200 billion in the U.S. by 2028 [5][6] - Uzbekistan committed to purchasing and investing $35 billion over the next three years, potentially exceeding $100 billion in the next decade, across various U.S. sectors [6][7] - These trade agreements are aimed at increasing economic engagement and countering the influences of Russia and China [7] Group 3: Market Reactions and Economic Impact - Analysts have noted that Trump's tariffs were labeled as the largest U.S. tax increase as a percentage of GDP since 1993, projecting a 0.6% reduction in U.S. GDP [9][10] - The market experienced significant turmoil in early 2025, with the Dow suffering losses exceeding 1,500 points following the announcement of new tariffs [10][11] - The "on-again, off-again" approach to trade policy has left analysts scrambling, with some suggesting that a cessation of certain tariffs could materially upgrade growth forecasts for the second half of 2025 [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - Shares of Richemont and Swatch Group increased following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of negotiations with Switzerland to reduce the 39% tariff on exports [1] Company Summary - Richemont's stock performance improved as a result of potential tariff reductions [1] - Swatch Group also experienced a rise in share value due to the same tariff negotiation news [1] Industry Summary - The luxury goods industry may benefit from lower export tariffs, enhancing competitiveness in the U.S. market [1]

Trade Policy Impact - The Trump administration imposed new tariffs, surprising the Swiss watch industry [1] Industry Reaction - Swiss watch buyers and sellers were particularly surprised by the tariffs [1]