"In negotiations with Donald Trump, psychologyis often more decisive than numbers," explains Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, negotiation expert and Partner Switzerland at Kloepfel Consulting.
"Trump is less persuaded by economic arguments than by personal recognition, symbolic gestures and narratives that confirm his self-image. If you meet him at eye level and understand his mechanisms, you can open doors where mere facts bounce off."
Building bridges with charisma: politics, business - and Roger Federer
Dr. Hofstetter proposes a delegation that combines economic substance with symbolic strength - as a sign of willingness to engage in dialogue and partnership:
- Roger Federer as "Special Guest " - a globally recognized symbol of Swiss precision, style and integrity
- Markus Bucher (Pilatus Aircraft) - 2023 best-selling business aircraft in the USA (PC-12), heavily dependent on exports
- Laurent Freixe (Nestlé) - around CHF 30 billion in sales in the USA (2024), over 90% of which is produced locally
- Peter Spuhler (Stadler Rail & Aebi Schmidt) - medium-sized industry with local production in the USA
- Nick Hayek (Swatch Group) - representative of a particularly export-oriented industry with a strong US focus
Unconventional formats open doors
A symbolic summit meeting on the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe or an appearance with Federer at the US Open: such formats could generate emotional discussion dynamics and prepare the ground for objective solutions.
Conclusion
"Switzerland must now present itself with a clear head, strategic creativity and a united voice," emphasizes Dr. Hofstetter. "Economic arguments should be combined with Switzerland's strong charisma - factually, diplomatically and with charisma."