Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has engaged a U.S. lobbying firm to secure full access to artificial intelligence chips for the country.
SECO endorsed a Tamedia article that it had hired a lobbying firm in the US – the law firm Akin Gump – to assist Switzerland in gaining full access to AI chips. It did not provide further details on the mandate for the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld (Akin Gump for short) when asked by the news agency Keystone-SDA on Tuesday. “The specialized American law firm is supporting Switzerland on the ‘AI chips, ‘” it confirmed.
The issue of expenses remained vague. According to the newspapers, the contract also governs any lobbying against the 31% duties imposed on Swiss imports by US President Donald Trump. According to the Tamedia newspapers, Akin Gump is the second largest in the Washington lobbying industry with an annual revenue of $65 million. The engagement became known due to a legal requirement in the US, under which the law firm must disclose the mandate.
The availability of advanced and powerful AI semiconductor chips is limited for companies from Switzerland, which is not regarded as an “ally” in the US capital. Even before Trump assumed office, former President Joe Biden’s administration imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips.
SECO Director Helene Budliger Artieda has been in the US since Sunday, participating in discussions. She is presently in Washington to organize a visit by President Karin Keller-Sutter and Economics Minister Guy Parmelin.
SECO did not disclose any additional details about potential meetings or any progress made. Parmelin’s office stated it would announce any meetings “in due course.” On Sunday, it was revealed that Budliger Artieda would remain in Washington until Wednesday. The state secretary was in Washington two weeks ago.
31% tariff from Wednesday
Her new visit comes just a few days after the US declared it would impose tariffs of 31% on Swiss imports. Since Saturday, all exports to the US have been subject to a 10% duty. Starting Wednesday, country-specific tariffs will be applied, adding an extra 21% for Switzerland.
Finance ministers and central bank governors are scheduled to attend the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from April 22 to 26. Swiss government ministers Keller-Sutter and Parmelin will be present. Martin Schlegel, chair of the Swiss National Bank, will also be in attendance.
