At its meeting on 5 September 2018, the Federal Council expressed its support in principle for administrative assistance in customs matters with the USA and decided to continue negotiations on the agreement, provided that the Foreign Policy Committees of the Federal Assembly approve this project.
According to the media release of 5 September 2018, a consultation procedure on the draft agreement on administrative assistance in customs matters with the USA was conducted in 2017. The Federal Council has now taken note of the results and decided on the further procedure. The draft agreement in its current version was rejected or at least critically assessed by the majority of business associations and seven cantons.
Nevertheless, the Federal Council has decided to continue negotiations with the USA, provided that the foreign policy committees agree to an adapted negotiating mandate.
Further details and the report on the results of the consultation process can be found in the Federal Council's press release.
