Swiss President Guy Parmelin said on Thursday he was not surprised by the Trump administration’s proposal to impose new tariffs of 12.5% on Switzerland, adding that negotiations between the two countries are ongoing with the aim of securing a trade agreement. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox “We were aware that there were ongoing investigations into Section 301 of the US Trade Act, and we expected a decision,” said Parmelin at the opening of the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) in Interlaken on Thursday. “We reject the criticisms levelled by the United States and we have already replied to them in writing,” said the Swiss economics minister, who this year also holds the rotating Swiss presidency role. On Wednesday, the United States stepped up the pressure on Switzerland over tariffs. The Trump administration has proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from dozens of economies including Switzerland after determining they had failed to curb trade in …