In the vast Alpine factory where Swiss Army knives are made, workers fixed finely sharpened blades onto stainless steel plates. Corkscrews, mini-scissors and can openers were clicked into place. Sealed in a bright red case and stamped with a silver cross and shield, a “Made in Switzerland” icon was born. Carl Elsener Jr., the CEO of Victorinox, which makes the famed pocket tool, smiled at the craftwork and pointed proudly to a photo of former US President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, touring the factory during a visit in the late 1990s and assembling their own knives by hand. The United States has long been Victorinox’s most important market, Elsener said, raising his voice above the din of machinery. But after President Donald Trump blindsided Switzerland last month by imposing a 39% import tariff, the highest for any Western country, the treasured ties were thrown into question. “It was a shock,” said Elsener, who, like many Swiss executives, had anticipated an outcome ...
