Several European companies announce new US investments and face challenges

Several major European companies are making moves related to the United States. Swiss engineering firm ABB says it sees growth opportunities there, and fellow Swiss company Novartis has started building a new research center in San Diego.

Other Swiss firms are dealing with different US-related issues. Watchmaker Swatch is facing a new activist investor challenge from the US and has rejected the proposed changes. Separately, Magdalena Martullo-Blocher, who runs the Swiss chemicals company Ems, has expressed frustration with Donald Trump's trade policies.