Finance
Swiss poll shows strong opposition to US trade deal
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
A Swiss poll shows strong opposition to a US trade deal, with concerns over data flow and reduced tariffs. A referendum may occur.
ZURICH, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A clear majority of Swiss residents are critical of a preliminary trade deal struck with Washington, a poll showed on Wednesday, citing elements such as the entry of U.S. chicken and the free flow of data to the United States.
The deal, struck in mid-November, will cut the tariffs Switzerland faces from 39% to 15%, but nearly 7 in 10 Swiss residents surveyed said they opposed, or were inclined to oppose, the deal.
If a referendum were held today, 45% of respondents would vote against the deal and 24% were likely to oppose it, a poll by Sotomo, published by newspaper Blick, found.
"The clarity of the rejection is remarkable," Sotomo chief Michael Hermann told Blick. "The Swiss have a deep aversion to the powerful fully asserting their power."
Swiss voters were most critical of the idea that Switzerland would no longer restrict data flows to the U.S., with 80% of respondents saying such a concession went too far.
The framework agreement includes a provision to explore mechanisms that promote interoperability between Swiss and U.S. privacy frameworks "with a view to facilitating secure cross-border transfers of data."
Around two-thirds of respondents opposed other elements, such as a proposal not to introduce a digital tax, duty-free imports of American meat, and a pledge by Swiss companies to invest $200 billion in the U.S. by the end of 2028.
After the agreement was announced, Economy Minister Guy Parmelin rejected criticism of the accord, saying Switzerland had not made a deal with the devil.
Switzerland expects the lower tariff rate will take effect in the first half of December. A final agreement must go through the Swiss parliament and could be put to the public in a referendum.
The polling agency surveyed a representative sample of over 9,000 Swiss residents in late November.
(Reporting by Ariane Luthi; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
The main topic is the Swiss public's opposition to a preliminary trade deal with the US, focusing on data flow and tariff reductions.
Swiss residents are concerned about unrestricted data flow to the US and reduced tariffs on US goods.
Yes, if the Swiss parliament approves the deal, it could be put to a public referendum.
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