Switzerland Using Federer as a Chess Piece to Reduce U.S. Tariffs

The United States has imposed tariffs on several countries — a move by President Donald Trump that has displeased much of the world. Switzerland has been hit with a 39% tariff. In response, the Swiss government has decided to form a delegation to negotiate with Washington over the tariff issue. Among those who may be part of the team are tennis legend Roger Federer and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Reports suggest that the Swiss administration wants to put Federer and Infantino in the spotlight during the talks. The 20-time Grand Slam champion enjoys a unique global stature, with millions of fans in the United States as well.

Infantino, meanwhile, is well-acquainted with Trump, having met with the U.S. President several times over the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Switzerland hopes that the presence of Federer and Infantino could help win over Trump’s goodwill, even if they will not be leading the negotiations themselves. Their role would be more symbolic, but potentially influential.

Washington’s tariff on Swiss goods currently stands at 39%.

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter stated, “Acquaintances of President Trump are free to join discussions with him. We see no objection to this. There is no formality or strategy involved here — official government representatives will lead the talks with Washington. We cannot say for certain whether the presence of such acquaintances will work in our favor.”

However, the inclusion of Federer and Infantino in the official Swiss delegation for tariff negotiations has drawn criticism within Switzerland itself. Several opposition parties have questioned the logic behind the move, arguing that an athlete like Federer could be placed in an awkward position and may not be able to play a meaningful role in such a critical economic matter. Similar doubts have been raised about Infantino, especially since his relationship with Trump — once close due to the upcoming FIFA World Cup — has reportedly become somewhat strained.