US trade agreement: Parliament paves the way for negotiations

The foreign affairs committees of the National Council and the Council of States have expressed their clear support for the Federal Council's mandate to negotiate a trade agreement with the USA. The National Council committee approved the mandate by 17 votes to 2 with 5 abstentions, while the decision in the Council of States' sister committee was even clearer with 10 votes to 0 with 2 abstentions. Provided the cantons also approve the mandate, nothing stands in the way of a swift start to negotiations with the USA.

Tailwind for the Federal Council

Various committee proposals that would have unnecessarily restricted the Federal Council's room for maneuver failed by a clear margin. These include stricter requirements for US meat imports and a tightening of standards for vehicle registrations. In the areas of direct investment and cross-border data traffic, the committees approved proposals that at best clarify the existing mandate. Overall, the Federal Council therefore clearly has a sufficiently broad mandate to enable successful negotiations with the USA.

Important step for Switzerland as a business location

This is of key importance for the Swiss economy: only a binding solution with the USA creates planning certainty, secures jobs in Switzerland and strengthens competitiveness in the important US market. At the same time, the Federal Council is pursuing the overarching goal of ensuring that Swiss companies have the best possible access to markets worldwide. As an open economy, Switzerland is dependent on good trade relations with all important partners.

Goal: Reliable customs regulations

The basis for the negotiating mandate with the USA is the non-binding joint statement of intent agreed with the USA on November 14, 2025. On this basis, US tariffs on Swiss imports will be retroactively reduced from 39% to a uniform rate of 15% as of November 14, 2025. An important relief for the Swiss economy. By concluding a legally binding trade agreement, the Federal Council is aiming to secure this tariff reduction on a permanent basis.