Bilateral III: Warm welcome in the canton of Vaud

Summer is hot – literally and figuratively – for Vaudois companies. It is in a stifling climate for our trade relations that the employers’ center presented the results of a “Representative survey“Showing support of 61% of companies to” bilateral III “with the European Union.

The 1^is August, there was, of course, the stroke of a sowing with 39%customs duties, announced by the American president, Donald Trump. For the canton of Vaud, the United States represented 21.2% of exports In 2024.

But another burning file was put on the table this summer. In June, the Federal Council opened the consultation On the new package of agreements between Switzerland and the European Union. The EU is the first destination of Vaud goods with 41% of exports in 2024.

“Vaudois companies are not insulation”

The employers’ center has therefore surveyed its members between the end of June and July 30; 551 companies, of all sizes and different sectors, have given their answers. 83% of them consider at least “important” to have “good relations” with the European Union. “It is not a big surprise, the Vaudois companies are not isolationist,” comments Christophe Reymond, managing director of the employers’ center.

They are not Eurathiles, however. Only 13% of Vaud companies say they are favorable to membership in the European Union. The survey having been carried out just before Trump’s announcements, the situation may have changed? “I have heard no one, so far, tell us:” Mr. Trump is so unpleasant that, decidedly, we must join the European Union, “replied Christophe Reymond.

There is therefore the bilateral way. But this new package of agreements is not completely full, with 61% support. “There is still a big need for information,” notes Olivier Rau, director of the political department at the employers’ center. It will be necessary to do an educational work, in particular on the points where the rub. ”

The points in question are notably linked to free movement. A small majority of those surveyed see the wage protection measures (58%) and the new version of the backup clause to control excessive immigration (56%).

On the other hand, 57% of companies say they fear that this package makes “social tourism”. The dynamic system of European law also collects a majority of unfavorable opinions (53%). “In the comments of the respondents, it is quite striking to see that there are a number of misunderstandings compared to these questions,” notes Olivier Rau.

As the Swiss should not decide before 2028 on bilateral III, it should leave some time to remove the “misunderstandings”. But Christophe Reymond recalls that we will vote next year on the initiative against a Swiss at 10 million: “If this text goes, we can directly throw these chords in the trash.”

The accumulation of crises

The horizon is far from being cleared for our trade relations with our direct neighbors, as with those who are across the Atlantic. The American “partner” is very versatile, this can change overnight. “Mr. Trump’s statements are still added to the energy crisis, at COVID, at the FRANC Fort,” notes the director general of the employers’ center. It is above all this accumulation which is extremely painful for businesses. ”

It is often repeated that instability is bad for trade. “At least with our European partners, they are agreements, international treaties,” emphasizes Olivier Rau. It is not these deals that we have to do with the Americans and which we do not know until when they are valid. ”

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