Trading Partner Portal: Switzerland
Overview
Joint Statement on a Framework for a United States – Switzerland – Liechtenstein Agreement on Fair, Balanced, and Reciprocal Trade
The White House, November 14, 2025
Toward a US-Swiss Trade Agreement
Competitive Enterprise Institute, February 7, 2024
Trade Overview
Switzerland is a landlocked country in central Europe, known for its alpine lakes, tall mountains, small farms, and thriving cities. It boasts a population of around 8.9 million people and has a GDP of $942 billion.
Its capital city is Bern, and judicial center is located in Lausanne, its large cities house much of its industry and commerce. It is bordered by France to the west, Germany to the north, Austria to the east, and Italy to the south. It’s well-known for its neutrality in many world affairs throughout history, with Geneva being on of their most used cities for many internal and external organizations like the UN.
U.S. – Swiss Trade
Two-way trade between the United States and Switzerland was approximately $179.33 billion in 2025, with the United States exporting over $73.72 billion to Switzerland. Top exports consisted of primary metal manufactures ($57.17 billion), chemicals ($4.50 billion), miscellaneous manufactures ($3.99 billion), used or secondhand merchandise ($1.68 billion), and transportation equipment ($1.60 billion).
Imports from Switzerland were $106.21 billion, with the top categories being primary metal manufactures ($58.60 billion), chemicals ($22.35 billion), computer/electronic products ($8.16 billion), goods returned ($5.62 billion), and non-electrical machinery ($2.97 billion). (US Department of Commerce)
Services trade between the U.S. and Switzerland totaled $104.51 billion in 2025, with exports totaling $68.31 billion. Top exports were other business services, charges for intellectual property use, telecommunications, computer & information services, transport services, and financial services.
Service imports from Switzerland to the United States totaled at $36.20 billion in 2025, with top imports being insurance services, transport services, charges in intellectual property use, other business services, and travel.
California – Switzerland Trade
In 2025, California was one of the top state exporters to Switzerland with over $1.91 billion in goods, a 10% increase when compared to 2024 exports. The top exports were chemicals ($981 million), primary metals manufactures ($190 million), used or second-hand merchandise ($170 million), computer and electronic products ($170 million), miscellaneous manufactures ($145 million).
Imports into California from Switzerland totaled $3.03 billion in 2025 with top imports being computer and electronic products ($661 million), primary metal manufactures ($559 million), chemicals ($449 million), reimports ($400 million), and non-electrical machinery ($281 million). (U.S. Department of Commerce)
FDI – Switzerland
According to the Select USA, in the United States, Switzerland is the seventh largest source of FDI in the U.S. In 2024, the U.S. direct investment position was $212.90 billion into Switzerland, while Swiss investment in the U.S. reached $264.23 billion. Swiss FDI in the U.S. supported 399,100 jobs and contributed $18.8 billion to expanding U.S. exports. The top industry sectors for Swiss FDI in the U.S. are real estate, industrial equipment, software and IT services, food and beverages, business services, and financial services. (Select USA)
In California, Switzerland was the sixth largest source of FDI through foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs) in 2025. Swiss FOEs in California provided over 50,054 jobs through 703 firms amounting to $5.95 billion in wages. The top jobs by sector are manufacturing, professional/business services, financial activities, leisure and hospitality, and retail trade (World Trade Center Los Angeles FDI Report).
We Need a Free Trade Deal with Switzerland
The Heritage Foundation, August 8, 2018