Shock and awe

Autumn in Switzerland? There are plenty of things to do. Enjoy the mild October days; play boules with your friends by the Rhine; hike in the Alpine foothills of Fribourg and Vaud; browse through the autumn schedule of your local theatre; pick the last tomatoes; roast the first chestnuts. While we do that, we can also look back at the preceding few months.

US President Donald Trump made sure 1 August went off with a bang and a clatter even before the fireworks started, slapping a 39 per cent import tariff on Switzerland. This was much higher than any of Trump’s other European tariffs. Switzerland wondered what it had done wrong – there are no Swiss tariffs on US imports. Who knows where this will take us? Parts of the Swiss economy are already feeling the pressure, and some companies have started to lay people off.

Many would have preferred to take a step back on Swiss National Day to process the events of 28 May – the day a devastating landslide not only obliterated the village of Blatten but also changed our perceptions. As the permafrost thaws and mountain peaks crumble, where does this leave those who live in the valleys below? What do we do if disasters like Blatten become more frequent? The residents of Blatten want to rebuild their village, but could their efforts be in vain? It’s an awkward question to ask, but should we consider vacating certain Alpine valleys altogether? This edition of “Swiss Review” looks both at this and at the delicate state of US-Swiss relations.

Tracing your own ancestry can be very revealing – and leave you in shock and awe. Many Swiss Abroad have explored their Swiss family tree, and their interest continues to grow. Some travel to Switzerland to visit their roots, which is invariably a momentous experience. We spoke to genealogist Kurt Münger. “Descendants see it as an emotional journey back to their roots,” he told us.

Marc Lettau, Editor-in-Chief

The following news is certainly more shock than awe: the federal government has announced that it will be cutting subsidies in numerous areas – including the OSA. The scope to deliver the print edition of our magazine free of charge is becoming narrower, which is why reader donations are more important than ever. Please show your solidarity and donate. Thank you.