Switzerland’s government has reached out to local drugmakers Roche Holding AG and Novartis AG to discuss the tariff situation, a spokesperson said, after the country was hit with the highest US levies in the developed world.

By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) -Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said she had a "very good meeting" with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday as Switzerland strives for a deal to avert a crippling 39% tariff on its exports to the United States.

Goods shipped from the country face a 39 percent tariff in the U.S., which companies warn will have dire consequences if President Trump cannot be quickly dissuaded.