The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Switzerland deepens customs cooperation with US

US President Donald Trump with Swiss President Ueli Maurer
Swiss President Ueli Maurer sounded cautiously optimistic about the prospects of FTA negotiations following his meeting with President Trump. Keystone / Jim Lo Scalzo

The Swiss customs office has agreed to forge closer links with counterparts in the United States as both countries flirt with the idea of reigniting free trade agreement (FTA) talks.

The Federal Department of FinanceExternal link  has signed a  “legally non-binding” memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Homeland SecurityExternal link to allow customs officials to deepen contacts and enhance cooperation, it was announced on Monday.

“This memorandum of understanding provides a cooperation in customs matters with the main objective of facilitating trade while ensuring security between the two countries. It is agreed in the text that the parties provide mutual assistance in terms of capacity building in various areas,” read a statementExternal link.

“The implementation of this memorandum of understanding also provides a good opportunity to exchange views with the United States on some of the main topics dealt with by the World Customs Organisation, as well as on the standards that it is trying to develop in a harmonised way.”

Switzerland has been courting the US with the aim of kick-starting FTA negotiations that were attempted in 2006 but failed to reach agreement primarily over Switzerland’s stance on agriculture.

Swiss President Ueli Maurer last week visited the White House where the FTA was on the agenda of discussions with US President Donald Trump.

Maurer said that while no agreement has been made to start negotiations, he got the impression that the US wanted to reach an FTA with Switzerland before finalising such a deal with the European Union.

“I sensed that that was what they wanted. I don’t think Mr Trump is concerned about details. But he is positive and I assume that his negotiators will notice that as well,” Maurer said.

More


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

'Leopard 1 A5' combat tanks in Germany.

More

Switzerland eyes joining EU rearmament programme

This content was published on The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.

Read more: Switzerland eyes joining EU rearmament programme
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day

More

Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day

This content was published on On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.

Read more: Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
Industry calls for "lean implementation" of the EU treaty package

More

Swiss industry backs EU treaty package

This content was published on The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.

Read more: Swiss industry backs EU treaty package

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR