The specter of TTIP will most likely not become a reality at first, but it should, however, be expected that the negotiations will be pursued. Even if there are several years' delay. That's what Martin Naville, CEO of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, believes. "Trying to predict what the Trump presidency will mean for Swiss export business and world trade in general is like trying to tell fortunes." No specific forecasts can currently be obtained from any expert in the field. Even after Trump published his 100-day plan.
Plurilateral agreements define the world trade of tomorrow
"Since within the framework of the WTO the dismantling of trade barriers was not able to be driven forward to the desired extent, the plurilateral agreements have regained relevance. The USA has already helped to define world trade substantially for 50 to 60 years, which is why a retreat from the field would be inappropriate", according to Markus Schlagenhof, head of the World Trade Division from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.
An agreement such as TTIP would not, in principle, be closed to Switzerland. The negotiators have considered an accession clause that would, for example, enable the EFTA or the United Kingdom to retroactively accede to the agreement. But then it would be a case of take it or leave it. Drafting the agreement according to their own wishes would not be possible.
How Trump will approach the TTIP negotiations remains to be seen. The USA will initially remain one of Switzerland's most important trade partners, as the forecast of SME export prospects also shows.
You can find further information on the discrimination potential of TTIP for Swiss companies in our study.
Martin Naville in a full interview (in English):
Markus Schlagenhof, head of the World Trade Division from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO in an interview (in German):
