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What if important goods are suddenly missing because a pandemic or war paralyzes supply chains? What the Federal Council has done so far to ensure the supply of the country in such situations is simply not enough for SP National Councilor Samira Marti (29).
It’s not just about “water and bread, but also about semiconductors or microchips,” she says. Without the secure supply of such critical and strategic goods, important parts of the Swiss economy would soon be crippled. “The Federal Council must finally arrive in the 21st century,” she demands, drawing lessons from Corona and the war in Ukraine: “Global supply chains can suddenly be interrupted.”
Federal Council sees itself on track
The Bundesrat must therefore show where we depend on vital and critical strategic goods from abroad – and what alternative solutions would be. Marti is not alone in her claim – on the contrary. She is assisted by Central National Councilor and Farmer President Markus Ritter (56), FDP National Councilor and Vice President of the Trade Association Daniela Schneeberger (55) and SVP National Councilor Esther Deep-fried (45).
However, the Bundesrat sees itself on track. He made this clear in a report last summer. He only wants to use government measures to secure national supplies in emergencies.
US and EU invest billions
Other states have industrial policies. The US has just pledged $39 billion in subsidies for the production of microchips domestically. The EU also wants to support the relevant industries in Europe with billions of euros. To do this, it has defined 137 essential and critical strategic goods out of a total of 5,200 imported goods, the supply of which must now be secured.
But the Bundesrat wants nothing to do with that. The Swiss way means: The international support of world trade and various suppliers increases the security of supply. But that is not enough for an ever-widening circle of people in Parliament. “The Federal Council should not shy away from the possibilities of state industrial policy because of ideological concerns,” Marti said. The EU and the US would know that an undersupply of essential or critical strategic goods would be a huge risk to the population and the economy. It would also have fatal consequences for Switzerland. (dba)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
