Switzerland’s government announced late Monday that it intends to take additional steps to back up commitments made in a preliminary tariff agreement reached with the United States last year. Those steps include making it easier to recognize American standards for automobiles and medical devices.
The country’s governing Federal Council said the measures are also designed to simplify recognition of U.S. conformity assessment organizations and streamline government procurement processes, all as Switzerland works toward a formal trade deal with Washington.
“This announcement further contributes to the stabilisation of bilateral economic relations between Switzerland and the United States and gives Swiss exporters greater planning certainty,” the Federal Council said in an official statement.
The government said it plans to carry out these measures through changes to existing regulations, and it expects the United States to follow through on its obligations under the November agreement as well.
The announcement coincided with the start of a trip to the United States, Canada, and Mexico by Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who also serves as the country’s economy minister. His visit runs through July 9, and he is scheduled to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during that time.
Switzerland faced some of the steepest U.S. tariffs in Europe last summer after President Donald Trump imposed a 39% duty on Swiss imports. The November agreement brought that rate down to 15%, matching the tariff rate applied to the European Union.
Negotiations to turn that preliminary agreement into a formal trade deal are still underway. According to a Swiss source with knowledge of the situation, a finalized deal is unlikely to be reached during Parmelin’s current visit.
A blanket 10% U.S. tariff put in place by the Trump administration in February — following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down some earlier tariffs — is set to expire on July 24. Many analysts expect it could be replaced with higher rates once it lapses.
