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.

The Swiss government said Thursday it would pursue more talks with the United States after a last-gasp mission to Washington failed to stop a 39-percent tariff blow that businesses described as a "horror scenario".

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.