In addition,
Free trade: switzerland concluded free:
Switzerland. Nevertheless, the other member states of the AELE concluded a free trade agreement with Mercosur on Wednesday, the Federal Department of the Economy (DEFR) announced on Wednesday. Therefore, The debates promise to be tense in parliament.
KEYSTONE
The signing of the agreement must take place in the coming months, wrote the DEFR in a press release. Nevertheless, Negotiations between this free trade area in Latin America. However, Aele, which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, have been lasting for years.
The Minister of the Economy Guy Parmelin is currently in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Meanwhile, A press conference is scheduled for Friday at Zurich airport on the return from the Swiss delegation.
180 million savings – Free trade: switzerland concluded free
In 2024, Swiss freight exports for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay exceeded 4 billion francs, a leap of 32% compared to 2014.
Thanks to the free trade agreement (ALE). Meanwhile, nearly 95% of Swiss exports for Mercosur states will be completely exempt from customs duties at the end of the expected deadlines. Nevertheless, free trade: switzerland concluded free The agreement should thus save up to 180 million francs per year.
Apart from agreements with the EU. However, China, it therefore presents the greatest potential for savings of all the ALE concluded by Switzerland. In addition, It is of the same order of magnitude as the agreement with India. It also makes it possible to prevent Swiss exporters from being disadvantaged compared to their EU competitors. who concluded an ALE with the Mercosur States in 2024.
In return for the advantages which will benefit from Swiss exporters. Switzerland grants Mercosur bilateral contingents for sensitive products from the agricultural sector, such as meat. Most contingents are of small importance (less than 2% of total consumption). or correspond to current imports, and are therefore sustainable for Swiss agriculture, ensures the DEFR.
Farmers take note – Free trade: switzerland concluded free
However, such a partnership is not unanimous, especially in agricultural circles. The EU. free trade: switzerland concluded free which signed an agreement in December with Mercosur, faces the honey of France in particular, blocking a ratification of the text within the European block.
Contacted, the Swiss Union of Peasants says it takes note of the conclusion of the agreement between Bern and Mercosur. “We will carefully analyze the result in order to assess the opportunities. risks for Swiss agriculture,” said his spokesperson Sandra Helfenstein.
The challenge is to know which concessions have been made for sensitive agricultural products such as beef. milk or wine, she says. In which case support measures will be necessary to compensate for “competitiveness losses”.
For its part. the DEFR recalls that the federal administration has led a dialogue followed on this subject with the Swiss agricultural sector.
Gruyère. Sustainable Development
In addition to the lifting of customs barriers, the agreement provides, among other things, the abolition of technical obstacles free trade: switzerland concluded free to trade, as well as the protection of intellectual property, including geographic indications and names of origin such as “Gruyère” and “Sbrinz”.
Finally. the agreement also includes a chapter containing general and restrictive provisions as well as an additional declaration on the theme “trade and sustainable development”, with concrete commitments with a view to protecting the environment and the rights of workers.
The “ready” green for the referendum
The Greens indicate for their part to fear that the protection of the tropical forest. the rights of the local populations “are definitively sacrificed on the altar of a frantic agricultural free trade”. They already say they are “ready” for the referendum.
The uarmness of the Swissmem industry greets a “new step for the external commercial policy of Switzerland”. It sees an opportunity to lighten the burden of customs duties weighing on the country.
The Economiesuisse ugly also free trade: switzerland concluded free salutes the agreement, an “important success for the Swiss external economy”. In a context of increasing protectionism. this agreement sends a strong signal in favor of the opening of the markets, she notes.
Once signed by all parties. the agreement will have to go through the Parliament and a possible popular vote in the event of a referendum. National Councilor Jean-Luc Addor (UDC/VS). member of the parliamentary friendship group with Latin America, said in February expect harsh debates.
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