Tariffs USA – Part 7

US tariffs No. 7: The memorandum of understanding between Switzerland and the US on additional US tariffs, signed on November 14, 2025, stipulates that Switzerland and the US should promptly enter into negotiations on a legally binding trade agreement. On December 5, 2025, the Federal Council adopted the draft mandate for these negotiations on the basis of the memorandum of understanding. The foreign affairs committees of the National Council and Council of States and the cantons were then consulted via the Conference of Cantonal Governments.

Based on the feedback from these consultations, the Federal Council slightly refined the negotiating mandate. The foreign policy committees and the Conference of Cantonal Governments will again be consulted on any new topics that go beyond the mandate, rather than simply being informed. The Federal Council adopted the revised negotiating mandate on January 14, 2026. Further negotiations were held during the WEF in Davos on January 21-22, 2026. The opening speech by US President Trump was an insult to the hosts, Federal Councilor Keller-Sutter and Switzerland.

Source: TR / Seco