US restricts Switzerland’s access to AI chips; Parmelin protests classification

Switzerland has been left off the US list of allied countries granted unlimited access to advanced AI computer chips, a decision that drew sharp criticism from Economics Minister Guy Parmelin. Parmelin said in an interview with NZZ am Sonntag that Switzerland has been placed in a second group that will receive fewer chips.

Imports would continue, he noted, but under limits. Calling the split “difficult to understand,” he argued that Swiss institutions such as ETH use these chips to develop innovations important to the United States, adding that the move risked being “an own goal for the USA.” He said the classification is the subject of ongoing talks with Washington, with the goal of moving Switzerland into the group with unrestricted access.

Only 18 “trusted” allies will receive unlimited access in future, RTS reported on Sunday, naming Germany, France and Japan among them. The powerful chips are manufactured exclusively by US companies. There has been no explanation so far for Switzerland’s exclusion.

“We first need to understand the reasons for this,” Parmelin said, asking whether it reflected security concerns or an effort “to slow down development in Switzerland.” According to RTS, the US aims primarily to block rival countries, particularly China, from obtaining the technology, and is working to prevent Chinese companies from circumventing restrictions by setting up subsidiaries abroad.

In a separate development, US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will not introduce the global minimum tax. “There will be consequences if the Americans do not go along,” Parmelin told Sonntagszeitung, saying any fallout would affect the federal government, cantons and companies.

“But we shouldn’t be naive. If others suddenly change the rules of the game, the Federal Council will also discuss the consequences for Switzerland,” the Vaudois Federal Councillor added.