EFTA

While often overlooked, the European Free Trade Association — composed of Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — actively seeks comprehensive bilateral FTAs much like its rivals the EU, the US, Japan, Canada or Australia. EFTA’s outward push towards FTAs is led and dominated by corporate powerhouse Switzerland, home to some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical, agricultural biotechnology, banking and insurance companies.

EFTA has established important bilateral FTAs with Chile (2003), Israel (1992), Jordan (2001), Korea (2005), Lebanon (2004), Mexico (2000), Morocco (1997), the Palestinian Authority (1998), Turkey (1991), Singapore (2002), Tunisia (2004), the Southern Africa Customs Union (2006), Egypt (2007), Canada (2007), the GCC (2008), Colombia (2008) and Peru (2008).

The group is currently negotiating FTAs with India, Indonesia, Thailand, Algeria and Pakistan. It is expected to launch talks shortly with Malaysia and Vietnam, while similar deals with Russia and Ukraine are planned for later.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Campax


EFTA | 13-Feb-2024
A chapter-by-chapter factsheet by the EFTA Secretariat.
RTS | 22-Jan-2024
Le commerce entre la Suisse, membre de l’AELE, et le Chili prend un nouvel élan. Les exportations suisses bénéficieront d’un accès élargi et sans droits de douane.
Swiss Info | 22-Jan-2024
The countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member, and Chile have concluded negotiations to modernise their free trade agreement.
EFTA | 19-Jan-2024
Delegations from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – and India gathered in Delhi from 8 to 13 January 2024 for an intense 21st round of negotiations towards a trade agreement.
Rhône FM | 19-Jan-2024
Le conseiller fédéral suisse Guy Parmelin estime "optimiste mais pas impossible" l’idée d’un accord entre l’AELE et le Mercosur cette année encore. Les discussions vont reprendre prochainement, a-t-il affirmé.
EFTA | 7-Nov-2023
High-level representatives from the EFTA States and Ukraine discussed the way forward in the modernisation of their existing EFTA-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement originally signed in 2010.