A senior US official sounded a positive note Thursday about trade talks with Switzerland, as the Alpine nation's economy minister Guy Parmelin visited Washington hoping to reduce steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

Vice President Parmelin's visit to the US capital marks his third since the Swiss were clobbered with huge tariffs after Trump returned to the presidency.

Trump shocked Switzerland in August when he imposed 39-percent duties on imports of goods from the country, among the highest in his global tariff blitz.

Parmelin met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during his trip, as Bern clings to hopes of easing the whopping tariff level.

"The talks are very positive. They're very focused," a senior Trump administration official told reporters Thursday.

"If th

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