Minister for Trade (): The fifth round of
negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
Switzerland took place in London between 14 and 18 October 2024.
The talks were the UK's first with the Swiss since the Secretary
of State for Business and Trade announced the government's
intention to deliver the UK's FTA negotiations programme in July.
Economic growth is our first mission in government and FTAs have
an important role to play in achieving this. A stronger trade
relationship with Switzerland will contribute to growth, jobs and
prosperity in the UK, providing long-term certainty on UK
business travel to Switzerland and helping data and ideas flow
seamlessly between two world-leading services powerhouses. Total
trade between the UK and Switzerland was worth £50.8 billion in
2023.
Talks continue to be constructive, with both countries working
towards agreeing ambitious outcomes in key areas, including
services, investment and digital. The talks will facilitate
UK-Swiss cooperation in areas of mutual interest that support
growth.
UK negotiators made good progress in this round and covered
almost all areas of the negotiation, including but not limited
to:
Services, Investment and Digital
Productive discussions were held on key technical issues, as we
work towards consolidated chapter structures and texts. This will
allow us to continue to have further technical discussions on
remaining issues (including but not limited to digital and
business mobility) and move towards economically and commercially
meaningful market access proposals.
Intellectual Property
Talks continued to advance this round on a number of technical
rights areas, building on the existing high standards in
international fora and in our respective domestic regimes.
Government Procurement
Overall, constructive progress has been made on chapter text that
builds upon the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on
Government Procurement (GPA), of which we are both members.
Discussions on economically and commercially meaningful market
access continue.
Innovation
Negotiators continued discussions on ways to future-proof an
enhanced FTA given the rapidly changing nature of the global
economy and the need to respond and adapt to the trade
opportunities and challenges that arise from innovation.
Goods, Trade Facilitation and Regulatory Environment
Negotiators exchanged market access offers on goods, with the aim
of achieving commercially meaningful outcomes. Discussions
continued on technical issues regarding the movement of goods
between the UK and Switzerland.
Negotiators also covered issues relating to the overall
functioning of an upgraded agreement, as well as on areas of
future cooperation.
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, including protections for the National
Health Service.
Round 6 of negotiations is expected to take place in Switzerland
in early 2025. The government will continue to work towards
delivering outcomes in the FTA that secure economic growth for
the UK and will update Parliament on the progress of discussions
with Switzerland as they continue to develop
