September 24, 2010 2:30PM 

# The Funny Side of Protectionism 

By [Marian L. Tupy](https://www.cato.org/people/marian-l-tupy) 

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The Swiss finance minister Hans-Rudolf Merz lost his composure in the Swiss parliament earlier today and broke out in [uncontrollable laughter](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAu94Un4G-I). Merz was reading out a memorandum concerning foreign cured meat imports to Switzerland that was prepared for him by the Swiss customs office. The text, redolent with *legalese*, Merz acknowledged at the end of his speech, was incomprehensible. Unfortunately, there is no indication that the Swiss agricultural protectionism will be reformed as a result of this episode.

##### Related Tags 

[Trade Policy](https://www.cato.org/trade-policy), [Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies](https://www.cato.org/herbert-stiefel-center-trade-policy-studies) 

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