Last year, trade policy came to the fore in bilateral economic relations with the USA due to the high US additional tariffs. On 14 November 2025, Switzerland and the USA agreed on a joint statement that, among other elements, provided for the launch of negotiations on a trade agreement. The Federal Council approved the draft negotiating mandate on 5 December 2025. Following consultation of the mandate with the foreign affairs committees and the cantons, negotiations commenced.
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision regarding the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA); this was followed by President Trump’s announcement of additional tariffs. The legal and trade policy environment remains highly dynamic and rapidly evolving, raising numerous questions for Switzerland.
In this volatile context, parliamentary dialogue plays an important role: the EFTA/EU Delegation is following trade talks at legislative level and helping to deepen understanding of Switzerland’s positions in the USA and strengthen trust among the American partners and stakeholders. The aim of the trip is to maintain and strengthen Switzerland’s strategic bilateral economic relations with the USA. As Switzerland’s most important export market and one of the most significant destinations for Swiss direct investments, the USA is a key partner. In 2025 alone, Switzerland exported goods worth more than one billion Swiss francs to the USA each week (around 55 billion Swiss francs over the year, not counting exports of refined gold). Sustainable cooperation is crucial for growth, innovation and stable employment in Switzerland. The discussions will focus on the current U.S. trade policy situation, its implications for Switzerland, as well as issues related to resilient supply chains and long-term competitiveness.
Programme
In Washington, DC, the delegation will hold talks with members of the US Congress and a representative of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The programme also includes discussions with business associations, relevant experts and representatives of Swiss companies in the USA.
The delegation will then travel to Indianapolis, Indiana. This state in the Midwestern United States is an important location for the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries. Between 2020 and 2025, Swiss exports to Indiana rose from around 2.5 billion US dollars to more than 8 billion US dollars. This makes Indiana the second most important US state for Swiss exports to the USA after New York. The planned company visits and talks will provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions on investments, innovation and skills development – and in particular on the Swiss vocational education and training system. The programme will conclude in Chicago, with a business roundtable attended by representatives of Swiss companies.
The EFTA/EU Delegation
As part of its mandate as the Swiss Federal Assembly’s delegation to the Parliamentary Committee of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the EFTA/EU Delegation promotes Switzerland’s foreign trade policy and favourable conditions for Swiss companies abroad. It supports the EFTA states’ trade policy activities at parliamentary level. This delegation trip is linked to the ongoing bilateral talks between Switzerland and the USA. Relations with the USA are also a priority issue in the EFTA Parliamentary Committee. The EFTA states engage in regular trade policy dialogue with the USA.
The delegation is led by its president, Council of States member Damian Müller (FDP, LU). Its other members are National Council members Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (The Centre, BL) and Christine Badertscher (The Greens, BE) and Council of States members Carlo Sommaruga (SP, GE) and Hannes Germann (SVP, SH).