Swiss government wants to improve free trade with China

Switzerland and China want to revise a free trade agreement that has existed between their two countries since 2014. The negotiations are due to start on 23 September with a virtual event at ministerial level, according to a statement from the Federal Council. Since the free trade agreement came into force in 2014, Switzerland's annual exports to China have risen from 8.8 billion Swiss francs to 15.4 billion Swiss francs. In the same period, annual imports from China rose from 12.1 billion Swiss francs to 17.9 billion Swiss francs.

In the coming negotiations, the government primarily wants to achieve a revision and extension of customs concessions for Swiss products. It is also interested in improvements to rules of origin, investments and services. As an example, the agreement is expected to be expanded to include provisions on e-commerce. The Federal Council also wants to strengthen the provisions on environmental protection and labor rights.

At its meeting on 13 September, the Federal Council was informed of the outcome of the consultations on the draft negotiating mandate. According to the statement, both the Conference of Cantonal Governments and the Foreign Affairs Committees of both chambers of parliament voted in favour of the draft. The Federal Council intends to take into account proposals submitted by the consulted bodies during the negotiations. ce/hs