OREANDA-NEWS A delegation of Switzerland's top leadership is urgently flying to Washington to negotiate a trade deal with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, led by President Karin Keller-Zutter, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

According to the AP, which refers to the Swiss government, the purpose of the trip is "to meet with the American authorities as soon as possible and discuss the possibility of a more favorable decision on duties for Switzerland."

Earlier, Western media reported on the call of the head of the Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch, Nick Hayek, for the Swiss president to meet with Trump to discuss more favorable import duties from the country. "Karin Keller-Zutter is the president. She needs to get on a plane and fly to Washington. This will greatly increase the likelihood of a deal," Hayek told reporters.

The head of Swatch also expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached before August 7, the date when the decision on duties will take effect.

On August 1, Trump signed a decree imposing trade duties on 68 countries and the EU.

They will enter into force on Thursday, August 7, "to give the customs and border protection service enough time to make the necessary changes to levy new duties," CNN noted.

Switzerland was affected by some of the highest duties (39%).