Switzerland and China move toward almost fully tariff-free trade

The 2014 agreement was asymmetric from the Swiss perspective. Almost all Chinese imports already entered Switzerland tariff-free, while only about half of Swiss exports received the same treatment in China. The revised deal is designed to close most of that gap.

For exporters, the tariff rate is only part of the equation. Predictable rules, easier origin procedures and reliable market access can matter just as much because they reduce costs and uncertainty across supply chains.

The upgrade also covers services, digital trade, competition, investor access and economic cooperation. Provisions on environmental issues and labour rights are also to be strengthened.

That reflects a broader shift in trade policy: modern agreements increasingly combine market opening with rules for areas that were once treated separately. Their real strength will be tested in implementation.

China is Switzerland’s third-largest trading partner after the EU and the United States. In a more uncertain trade environment, broader access to several major markets is a strategic asset.

The agreement is not yet in force. Legal review, signature and domestic approval still have to follow. But the direction is clear: Bern is trying to expand economic options rather than narrow them.