Switzerland Includes Export Control Language in Negotiating Text for US Trade Talks
Switzerland is open to working closer with the U.S. on export controls, sanctions and investment security issues as part of a broader trade framework between the two countries, according to a draft negotiating mandate released by Switzerland’s Federal Council this month.
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The mandate has a section on “economic security,” which says the countries plan to “build on existing cooperation in the areas of investment and export controls and sanctions. Areas such as value chains can also be discussed.” The document also notes that “Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality remain intact.”
The draft text was released about a month after the two nations issued a joint statement on the trade framework, in which they both committed to strengthening “existing cooperation with regard to U.S. export controls and sanctions.”
Trump administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have said they plan to bring export control stipulations into traditional trade deals (see 2503180041). The U.S. and Switzerland agreed in May to better share sanctions enforcement information (see 2505160020).
The Swiss Federal Council said it needs to consult on the negotiating text with other parts of its government, including the foreign affairs committees of the National Council and Council of States.