Switzerland is moving quickly to shore up its competitiveness as a business hub after finding itself among the hardest-hit countries in the latest round of U.S. tariffs. The government confirmed Wednesday that it is preparing a package of regulatory relief measures designed to ease cost pressures on companies, while also pushing back new rules that risk burdening businesses during a period of heightened uncertainty.

The urgency follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this month to impose 39% import tariffs on Swiss goods, one of the steepest duties levied against any U.S. trading partner in this tariff cycle. While Switzerland’s critical pharmaceutical exports have so far been spared, an outcome that reflects both their strategic importance to U.S. healthcare and the difficulty of replacing Swiss precision manufacturing, the new levies still affect about 10% of the country’s total goods exports.

EU is preparing to put a gate on the aluminum scrap outflow, recasting waste as a strategic feedstock for decarbonization rather than a low-value export. After a record 1.26 million tons of scrap left the bloc in 2024, roughly 50% more than five years ago and mostly bound for Asia, the Commission now plans a restriction aimed at keeping more material at home.

Trade chief Maroš Šefčovič says the measure, slated for adoption in spring 2026, will be “balanced,” but the intent is clear: stop the leakage of a critical input that can slash the sector’s emissions and power Europe’s circular economy ambitions.

Italy is actively engaged in preliminary discussions with the German state of Bavaria regarding the supply of gas and hydrogen. Additionally, Italy is exploring opportunities to sell energy to Austria and Hungary, forming a part of its ambitious plan to position itself as an energy gateway between Europe and Africa.