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Switzerland


Rights activists want Swiss-Chinese trade deal to be overhauled
Campaigners are urging the Swiss government to renegotiate a six-year-old free trade agreement with China to try to improve human rights and labour conditions for its Uighur Muslim minority.
No more EFTA power play against the South!
Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway are undermining farmers’ rights to seeds in the countries of the global South
Swiss supermarkets ban produce from occupied Western Sahara
The Swiss Federal Council stated on several occasions that it did not consider its free trade agreement with Morocco to apply to the large part of Western Sahara that is under Moroccan occupation.
Swiss ‘Stop Palm Oil’ plea ready for referendum consideration
Activists in Switzerland are calling for a ‘Stop Palm Oil’ referendum opposing the Swiss free trade agreement (FTA) with Indonesia. They submitted thousands of signed petitions to the Federal Chancellery in Bern on Monday.
Switzerland — UK to negotiate a bilateral financial services agreement
Cross-border financial services trade between the UK and Switzerland is set to become easier, thanks to a commitment signed June 30.
Call to action! Stop EFTA countries to undermine farmers’ rights to seed in free trade agreements
Sign-on the letter for organisations.
Swiss communists support “STOP Palm Oil” referendum against the FTA with Indonesia
The Swiss parliament ratified a Free Trade Agreement between the European Free Trade Association and Indonesia, allegedly without addressing the environmental concerns regarding Indonesian palm oil production.
Signing of Switzerland-Turkey trade deal put on pause
The Swiss government has delayed fully signing off on the expanded free-trade deal between EFTA and Turkey amid concern about human rights abuses.
Swiss Economics Minister wants to move US trade deal forward
Talks with US President Donald Trump were useful, says Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin, who is cautiously optimistic about moving trade negotiations forward.
Blueprint for a human rights impact assessment of the planned comprehensive free trade agreement between EFTA and Mercosur
This study assesses the impact of the EFTA-Mercosur free trade agreement on access to medicines, indigenous rights and women rights.
Glencore awarded just $19 mln by tribunal in Colombia lawsuit
A World Bank tribunal has ordered Colombia to repay a $19 million fine it levied on Glencore’s coal mining subsidiary Prodeco.
Swiss release more details over EFTA - Mercosur deal
Concessions in the agricultural sector went too far. In the area of beef the Swiss had made more concessions than their EU counterparts, says Swiss Farmers’ Union.
Trump open to talks on US-Swiss free trade deal: Swiss president
US President Donald Trump is keen to advance talks with Switzerland on a free trade deal, Swiss President Ueli Maurer said after the first visit by a Swiss president to the Oval Office.
Nord Stream 2 invokes Energy Charter Treaty to challenge EU gas link rules
EU plans to extend its internal energy market rules to Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas link to Germany could breach the Energy Charter Treaty, which protects international investors, according to the Swiss-registered company building it.
Swiss to support Belt and Road push during president’s China trip
Switzerland will sign an accord backing China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Switzerland was the first country in continental Europe to reach a free trade agreement with China.
UK signs post-Brexit trade deal with Switzerland
The "continuity agreement" - based on the EU’s existing free trade deal with Switzerland - was agreed in December but ratified on Monday.
Swiss-Malaysian free trade talks back on track
Swiss Economics Minister has re-started negotiations with Malaysia over a proposed FTA. Talks had previously broken down over the contentious topic of palm oil.
Free trade agreement between EFTA and Indonesia concluded in substance
On 1 November, negotiations on a free trade agreement between EFTA and Indonesia were concluded in substance, with Switzerland acting as lead negotiator. The agreement means 98% of Swiss goods will be exempt from customs duties in medium term.
Indonesia, Switzerland committed to concluding IE-CEPA
The five countries are expected to announce the completion of the negotiation in a ministerial meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on Nov. 23.
Schindler sues Korean gov’t over Hyundai Elevator
Swiss elevator maker, Schindler Group, has officially filed for an investor state dispute settlement against the Korean government seeking US$300 million in compensation for losses over its approval of paid-in capital increase of Hyundai Elevator