In some circumstances, trade negotiations with a trading partner have been concluded, but have not yet been signed or ratified. This means that, although the negotiations are over, no part of the agreement is yet in force. EU trade policy on sustainable development in EU trade agreements, implementation of EU trade negotiations, related documents. Benefits of agreements In 2013, 22.6% of Switzerland`s total exports will be concluded with free trade partners, with the exception of the free trade agreement with the EU. This represents 51% of Swiss exports to markets outside the EU. In particular, free trade agreements promote the growth, added value and competitiveness of Switzerland`s economic site. Content of agreements The essential element of each agreement is trade in goods (including tariff reductions and other trade restrictions). They regulate trade in industrial products (SH chapters 25-97), fish and processed agricultural products. Trade in unprocessed agricultural products is generally governed by separate bilateral agricultural agreements. The manufacture of products in the Country of Origin in Switzerland should not be subject to the use of primary materials that do not meet the criteria of the country of origin which are subject to restitution or suspension of customs duties (for example. B, goods imported and re-exported to the processing facility). This rule does not apply to agreements with Singapore, South Korea, SACU, Canada, Japan, Colombia and Peru.

The European Union has free trade agreements [1] and other agreements with a trade component with many countries around the world and negotiates with many other countries. [2] The European Commission reports annually on the implementation of its main trade agreements in the previous calendar year. Fact sheets, Vietnamese trade in your city, texts of agreements, exporter reports published in November 2020 and, before that, the Director General of DG Commerce, Sabine Weyand (other languages), the fourth eu FTA implementation report (other languages) gives an overview of the successes achieved in 2019 and the remarkable work to be done for the 36 main eu preferential trade agreements. The accompanying staff working document provides detailed information in accordance with the trade agreement and trading partners. Free trade agreements aim to improve trade relations with key partners around the world. They aim to remove or, at the very least, minimize barriers to international markets for the Swiss economy. The aim is to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers (for example. B technical regulations, packaging and labelling requirements, import quotas). Free trade agreements have reduced the price of products for Swiss consumers and broadened the supply. At the same time, Swiss producers benefit from lower prices for half-products and raw materials. The central pillar of rules-based and open trade should always be the WTO. This is the first and best way to open markets around the world and establish new rules for trade.

However, free trade agreements can be – and have been for years – a useful complement to the multilateral trade order. In the context of the WTO crisis, these agreements are increasingly economically and politically relevant, which is essential for the EU`s foreign trade policy. An updated overview of the Swiss free trade agreements network can be found in the www.seco.admin.ch section. Of course, this clear division does not mean that the ratification of free trade agreements lacks democratic legitimacy. Responsibility for trade policy rests with the EU; since the Lisbon Treaty, trade agreements must be ratified by the European Parliament. Nevertheless, Member States` parliaments should be informed in a timely and comprehensive manner of negotiations on free trade agreements in order to allow for a well-informed public debate. A transparent negotiation process also includes the publication of the Commission`s negotiating mandates