Switzerland's government said late on Monday it will take further regulatory measures intended to put into practice commitments made under a provisional tariff agreement with the United States reached last year. The planned actions include simplifying how Swiss authorities recognise U.S. standards for automobiles and medical devices, along with facilitating the recognition of U.S. conformity assessment bodies and steps related to government procurement.
In a statement, the Federal Council characterised the measures as enhancing stability in bilateral economic ties and providing exporters in Switzerland with improved planning certainty. The council said it will implement the intended changes through amendments to existing regulations and reiterated its expectation that the United States will respect the tariff concessions negotiated in November.
The announcement coincides with the start of a multilateral visit by Swiss President Guy Parmelin to the United States, Canada and Mexico that runs through July 9. Parmelin, who also serves as Switzerland's economy minister, is scheduled to meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during the trip.
Last summer, the United States imposed a 39% duty on products imported from Switzerland, the highest U.S. tariff level applied to any European country at that time. The bilateral arrangement reached in November lowered that tariff to 15%, aligning Switzerland's rate with the European Union's. Swiss and U.S. officials have continued discussions to formalise the accord, but those talks appear unlikely to conclude during Parmelin's current visit, according to a Swiss source familiar with the matter.
Separately, the United States set a universal 10% tariff in February after the U.S. Supreme Court declared certain earlier tariffs illegal. That temporary 10% rate is scheduled to expire on July 24. The Swiss government and market observers note uncertainty over what will replace that measure, as many analysts expect the temporary rate could be succeeded by higher levies.
The regulatory adjustments Switzerland plans to enact focus on administrative recognition processes - affecting how Swiss authorities and markets accept U.S. conformity assessments and standards - rather than on any immediate change to tariff schedules. The Federal Council said its steps are intended to provide clarity to exporters and to stabilise the economic relationship while formal negotiations with Washington continue.
Context and next steps
The Federal Council will push the measures through regulatory amendments. Formalisation of the November tariff agreement remains the subject of ongoing talks, and there is no indication those negotiations will be completed during the current Swiss presidential visit.