A delegation including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen went on a trade mission to Switzerland and Germany in November, visiting major business centers in Zürich, Düsseldorf and Berlin.

According to USDA data, Germany was Minnesota’s eighth largest export market for goods, valued at $649 million in 2024. Switzerland is Minnesota’s 22nd largest export destination with exports valued at $232 million in 2024.

The Nov. 15-22 trip was meant to spur growth in the state’s exports of goods and services and showcase Minnesota as a top destination for business investment, develop new partnership opportunities and strengthen existing trade and diplomatic ties, according to the governor’s office.

“Amid global disruptions caused by trade wars, Minnesota is doing all we can to strengthen the trade and investment relationships that create and protect jobs at home,” said Walz. “As some of the largest and most innovative economies in the world, Germany and Switzerland both offer excellent opportunities for Minnesota businesses to expand their exports. I look forward to strengthening our relationships in technology, agriculture, and education.”

This delegation had representatives from Minnesota businesses and organizations within Minnesota’s medical technology, clean technology, food and agriculture and higher education sectors.

Speaking on the Monday after returning to the U.S., Petersen said he brought home new relationships and a sense that existing ones are strengthening.

It was Petersen’s first time in both countries. In recent years, he’s been to the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Japan, Finland and Australia on trade missions. He said the group of about 70 was split into four tracks and went their separate ways to focus on their industries. The ag representatives came mostly from Minnesota’s soybean industry along with its edible bean one.

As for any concrete outcomes for ag and food trade with either country, Petersen said no, but the relationship-building was worth the time spent in Europe.

“So many of the businesses have strong connections in Minnesota, or want to improve their connections in Minnesota,” he said. “I always say these trips, you don’t know if you’re going to close a deal in two days, two weeks, two months or two years — to see something come to fruition.”

Tariff impact

He said it’s the relationships that matter, and seeing firsthand the impacts from U.S. federal policy on trade.

One of those connections was with Buhler Inc., the Switzerland-based technology and manufacturing company that Petersen said “a lot” of ag and food companies in Minnesota use for equipment.

It was a coincidence that when the Minnesota delegation touched down in Switzerland, a huge win in trade policy was just announced, that a U.S. tariff cut to 15% for Switzerland could take effect early December.

On Nov. 14, Switzerland and the U.S. reached a preliminary agreement to cut the tariffs to 15%, more than three months after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 39% rate, the highest on any country in Europe.

“That’s big news, thinking they had the 39% tariff until the week we left,” Petersen said.

That tariff included all Buhler equipment bound for Albert Lea, Minn., to build the new oat-processing plant, which is now the city’s tallest building.

“So we were glad to see the tariffs dropped, but discussing the importance of Buhler, who has its North American headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota, and how do we support them,” Petersen said.

Minnesota ties

He said the group also toured businesses with huge Minnesota ties including Cargill’s German headquarters, Syngenta’s headquarters in Switzerland, and home of CLAAS in Berlin.

Petersen said CLAAS combines and silage choppers have been sold across Minnesota at Arnold’s dealerships and more.

“AGCO’s facility in Jackson, Minnesota, as well,” he said. “It’s kind of interesting to show what a small world it is.”

Minnesota’s ag commissioner said that tariffs may have worked 75 years ago, but in today’s interconnected world, it’s about using the biggest pieces of industry to work together.