Finance
Switzerland says still aiming for legally-binding trade deal with U.S
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 23, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 23, 2026
Tags:International trade
Quick Summary
Switzerland says it still seeks a legally binding trade pact with the U.S., aiming to cement a 15% tariff cap agreed in 2025. Talks continue despite a Feb. 2026 Supreme Court ruling on Trump-era tariffs. (geo.admin.ch)
Switzerland Still Seeks Legally Binding Trade Pact With the United States
Switzerland–U.S. Trade Negotiations Update
ZURICH, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Switzerland still plans to broker a legally-binding agreement from talks with the United States aimed at finalising a preliminary deal struck in late 2025 that cut U.S. tariffs on Switzerland to 15% from 39%, the government said on Monday.
Mandate and Stakeholder Support
The Swiss Economy Ministry said it is continuing to adhere to its mandate to seal a deal with Washington, noting that key stakeholders such as Switzerland's cantons had not called for a stop to negotiations following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Goal: Legal Certainty for Firms
"The primary objective of the ongoing negotiations has from the outset been a legally binding agreement that would provide Swiss companies with the greatest possible legal certainty," the ministry said, noting that it was sticking to this goal.
(Reporting by Dave Graham, Editing by Linda Pasquini)
Key Takeaways
- •Switzerland will keep pursuing a legally binding U.S. trade pact despite the Feb. 20, 2026 Supreme Court ruling that struck down most IEEPA tariffs. (washingtonpost.com)
- •Talks aim to convert the Nov. 14, 2025 framework into a binding deal, locking in a 15% ceiling on U.S. country‑specific tariffs on Swiss imports (down from 39%), applied retroactively. (geo.admin.ch)
- •Bern adopted a negotiating mandate on Jan. 14, 2026 after consulting cantons and parliament, signaling domestic support to continue discussions. (investing.com)
- •Sectoral tariffs under Section 232 (e.g., steel and aluminum) remain; Switzerland seeks further exemptions and legal certainty for exporters. (seco.admin.ch)
- •Officials target significant progress and a possible conclusion in Q1 2026, subject to successful negotiations with Washington. (seco.admin.ch)
Frequently Asked Questions about Switzerland says still aiming for legally-binding trade deal with U.S
1What is the main topic?
Switzerland remains committed to finalizing a legally binding trade agreement with the United States, building on a 2025 framework that capped U.S. tariffs on Swiss imports at 15%. (geo.admin.ch)
2How does the Supreme Court ruling affect the talks?
The Feb. 20, 2026 ruling struck down most IEEPA-based tariffs, but negotiations continue; sectoral duties like Section 232 still apply, so Switzerland seeks long-term legal certainty. (washingtonpost.com)
3When could the deal be concluded?
Swiss officials aim for significant progress and a possible conclusion in Q1 2026, depending on outcomes with Washington and stakeholder consultations. (seco.admin.ch)
