US secretary of state on closer relations with Switzerland
RTS
In an interview with Swiss public television, RTS, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has offered insight into Swiss-American relations — and why they have become remarkably closer.
The interview was broadcast on Monday evening. RTS journalist Darius Rochebin posed the questions in French; Pompeo answered in English. Scroll past the video below for a transcript of the questions specifically about Swiss-American relations:
External Content
RTS: Relations between the US and Switzerland have become closer, remarkably closer. What is the reason for this?
Mike Pompeo: I think it’s very simple. We share a set of common values. The Trump administration believes that the best countries to continue to grow a relationship with are those that have the shared understanding of freedom and democracy of liberty. Switzerland certainly has that. So we want to grow our economic ties, our security ties, all of the elements that make the two countries each more secure and more economically prosperous.
RTS: Is the fact that Switzerland does not belong to the EU a positive factor for you?
MP: What’s most important is that we find common ways to work together. Whether you’re in the EU or out of the EU, we want to develop these relationships that make Switzerland more economically successful and America as well.
RTS: Is Switzerland different from your point of view?
MP: Sometimes it’s a little bit easier to work with countries that don’t have the EU overlay. There’s no doubt about that. You have more capacity to make decisions more quickly. We appreciate that. But we work with many countries inside of the EU to develop relationships with them as well.
RTS: You spoke of Iran. Have you given Bern a telephone number where Iranians can call your President, Donald Trump, directly?
MP: Switzerland has done remarkable work, that we’re very appreciative of, in being our protective power there in Iran. But as for the phone number, I think Iran knows how to reach us if they’re ready. And when they’re ready we’re ready to have a conversation with them as well.
They haven’t called yet?
MP: Not yet.
More
More
Swiss ask US to ease aid deliveries to Iran
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis has called on the US to facilitate the provision of aid to Iran to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran.
Two decades after tsunami, Swiss tourists flock to Southeast Asia
This content was published on
Twenty years after a catastrophic tsunami in Southeast Asia, the region is again a top destination for Swiss, including at Christmas.
Swiss forests better equipped for storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years after Hurricane Lothar wreaked havoc in Switzerland, the country’s forests are now better prepared, experts say.
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
US top diplomat sets foot in Swiss capital
This content was published on
American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has paid a private visit to the Swiss capital, Bern, ahead of attending the Bilderberg forum in Montreux.
This content was published on
Switzerland is hosting some of the Western world’s top players in government and business at the secretive Bilderberg meeting. What’s it all about?
This content was published on
Swiss President Ueli Maurer’s meeting with Donald Trump was a unique bilateral event at a moment of increasing tensions between the US and Iran.
Switzerland to represent US interests in Venezuela
This content was published on
Switzerland is to represent the interests of the United States in Venezuela, under a “good offices” agreement between the two countries.
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis talks possible free-trade agreement and Venezuela while in the United States.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.