Minister of State (Sir ): The ninth round of
negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
Switzerland took place in London between 12 and 16 January 2026.
The new deal aims to support British businesses, back British
jobs, and put more money in people's pockets.
The enhanced agreement with Switzerland demonstrates the UK
government's commitment to economic growth through strengthening
trade ties with our 10th biggest trading partner – a
relationship worth £49.0 billion in the 12 months ending
September 2025 (ONS, UK total trade, seasonally
adjusted).(opens in a new tab)
The FTA aims to deliver long-term certainty for UK services firms
by locking in access to the Swiss market, guaranteeing the free
flow of data and cementing business travel arrangements.
The trading relationship supported 130,000 services jobs across
the UK in 2020, including legal, consultancy and finance sectors
(OECD trade in employment
database(opens in a new tab) and covers all jobs
directly and indirectly supported by exports from service
industries to Switzerland in 2020).
The new agreement will update the current goods-focused UK-Swiss
FTA, signed in 2019 and largely based on an EU-Swiss deal from
1972. This does not cover services, investment, digital or data,
despite services accounting for over 60% of UK trade with
Switzerland (ONS, UK total trade, seasonally
adjusted).(opens in a new tab)
We have already extended the Services Mobility
Agreement(opens in a new tab) between the UK and Switzerland
for a further 4 years to 2029.
The latest round saw progress in multiple areas:
Services and Investment
Productive sessions took place on services and investment. Talks
remain focused on market access for UK services exports.
Market Distorting Practices
Good progress was made during this round on a range of topics
relating to state-owned enterprises and subsidies.
Digital
Progress was made on digital trade with the UK seeking
commitments to guarantee the free flow of data across both
countries.
Intellectual Property
During this round, the UK and Switzerland discussed intellectual
property rights areas. Negotiations will continue with the aim of
agreeing a comprehensive framework for the protection of
intellectual property.
Goods
Discussions continue to focus on goods market access and on the
goods chapter text, which will help streamline the process for UK
exports to Switzerland and bilateral trade in goods.
Environment and Labour
Negotiators provisionally closed the Trade and Sustainable
Development chapter, which demonstrates the UK and Switzerland's
joint commitment to maintaining high standards of environmental
and labour protection including through Multilateral
Environmental Agreements such as the UNFCCC and the Paris
Agreement.
Next steps on FTA negotiations
Immediately following the round, my colleague the Secretary of
State for Business and Trade met President of the Swiss
Confederation Guy Parmelin in Switzerland to take stock of the
progress in the FTA.
The government is focussed on securing outcomes in an enhanced
FTA that boost economic growth for the UK and Ministers will
continue to update Parliament on the progress of negotiations.
The government will only ever sign a trade agreement which aligns
with the UK's national interests, upholding our high standards
across a range of sectors, alongside protections for the National
Health Service.
