On August 20, 2026, in Bern, Swiss Federal President and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin met with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, and the two sides jointly announced the completion of the upgrade negotiations for the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement and signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The China-Switzerland FTA upgrade talks were launched in September 2024 and successfully concluded after five rounds of consultations. Both sides committed to higher-level two-way opening in goods, services, investment and rules, creating new opportunities for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Wang Wentao said this year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the 10th anniversary of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership; China stands ready to work with Switzerland to finalize and implement the upgraded agreement promptly. Parmelin said the upgrade is another key milestone that will provide businesses of both countries with more stable, transparent and predictable institutional guarantees.
The China-Switzerland FTA was signed in July 2013 and entered into force in July 2014, the first FTA China signed with a continental European country. After the upgrade talks, both sides will expedite their respective domestic procedures to formally sign the protocol of amendment as soon as possible.
Source: Ministry of Commerce of the PRC (mofcom.gov.cn), original link: https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfb/bldhd/art/2026/art_3c75ebcbff4f41ae8a245497e9796276.html | Compiled and organized by Hongshengze.