Wielding a medieval halberd, the president of the conservative Swiss People’s Party lays out the choice Switzerland faces: a simpler life that the country’s founders spelled out in a one-page declaration more than 700 years ago or a 2,

Switzerland is ready to make a "more attractive offer" in trade talks with Washington, its government said on Monday, following a crisis meeting aimed at averting a 39% U.S. import tariff on Swiss goods that threatens to hammer its export-driven economy.

The Swiss government said it had “no indication” the country would be hit with a 39 percent tariff, which is set to take effect this week.