The case

The Council of States is in favour of the free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association and India.

Source: Parlament & SECO

The commentary

The Council of States passed the decision by 41 votes to 0 with three abstentions. The matter will now be discussed at the National Council.

In addition to Switzerland, the other member states of the European, Free Trade Association (EFTA), i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, are involved in the agreement. Negotiations lasted around 16 years. On 10 March 2024, Parmelin, his counterparts from the EFTA states as well as India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal signed the agreement in Delhi.

Switzerland should now embark on concluding a free trade agreement with the USA. The USA is Switzerland’s most important trading partner without a joint free trade agreement, which could also lead to a Swiss liberation for the further negotiations on the framework agreement with the EU as it is unlikely that the EU will be able to conclude a free trade agreement with the USA.

The United States and Switzerland have signed a number of agreements that create mechanisms to deepen cooperation and improve relations: the Enhanced Framework for Political Cooperation, the Forum for Trade and Investment Cooperation and the revised Operational Cooperation Agreement.

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