EFTA – Ukraine Signing of modernised free trade agreement
On 8 April, the EFTA States and Ukraine signed a modernised free trade agreement (FTA) in Kyiv. Switzerland is thereby continuing its successful free trade policy and strengthening the competitiveness of its economy. By signing this agreement, Switzerland is strengthening its partnership and demonstrating its solidarity with the country at this critical time. The Federal Council approved the agreement on 2 April.
EFTA–Moldova Free Trade Agreement takes effect for all parties
The EFTA–Moldova Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which had been signed on June 27, 2023, came into force for all parties on April 1, following the completion of the necessary internal procedures by Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The agreement, which aims to enhance economic cooperation, facilitate trade, and strengthen political ties, had already been in effect in Moldova, Iceland, and Norway since November 1, 2024. As per the EFTA statement, two-way merchandise trade between EFTA states and Moldova has grown by over 38% to 87 million euro over the last five years. Moldova and the EFTA negotiated the agreement between March 2021 and March 2023. EFTA was founded in 1960 as an alternative to the European Economic Community (EEC), a precursor to the European Union (EU), for countries that wanted to participate in free trade without becoming part of the bloc.
EU - Ukraine to extend road transport agreement until the end of 2025
To facilitate Ukraine's access to global markets by allowing smoother transit through EU countries and strengthening trade ties with the EU market, the EU and Ukraine have extended their Road Transport Agreement until December 31, 2025. Since the entry into force of the June 29, 2022 Agreement, road transport trade between Ukraine and the EU has increased significantly, benefiting both economies.
EU, Mauritius set to finalize economic partnership agreement by 2025
The European Union (EU) has expressed its intention to expand multilateral cooperation with the island nation of Mauritius, located in East Africa. During the meeting, both sides agreed to intensify efforts to conclude negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (DCEPA) by 2025. In addition, Mauritius reaffirmed its support for granting the African Union permanent membership in the G20, and emphasized the need for a more active dialogue with the EU on global financial governance and the long-discussed reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Mauritius, despite its small size, has become a key player in African diplomacy thanks to its political stability, vibrant financial sector, and strategic position in the Indian Ocean. It ranks among the highest in Africa for governance and ease of doing business — making it a valuable partner for the EU in promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development.
India, EU to resume FTA talks on May 12, agree to speed up progress
India and the European Union (EU) have decided to accelerate efforts to advance the negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with the next round scheduled to begin here on May 12. Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce L Satya Srinivas said that the tenth round of talks focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, investment and government procurement.
The 11th round is scheduled from May 12-16. On the India-UK trade pact.
India seeks quick US trade deal as Trump tariffs paused
India wants to move quickly on a trade deal with the United States, a government official said on Thursday, after President Donald Trump’s decision to pause reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, while hiking levies on China. India and the United States agreed in February to work on the first phase of a trade deal to be concluded late this year, with a view to reaching two-way trade worth $500 billion by 2030.
Shifting the focus back to a bilateral trade war with China, Trump said he would raise to 125% the tariff on imports from China. The U.S. reciprocal tariff on India stands at 10%.
The decision to halt further tariffs is especially a relief for Indian shrimp exporters, the official said, citing an industry that faced a tariff disadvantage compared to competitors like Ecuador.
Nearly $14 billion worth of electronics products and over $9 billion worth of gems and jewellery were also among the sectors impacted by the U.S. tariffs.
Indonesia, EU discuss Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Indonesia and the European Union have been negotiating the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) trade agreement since 2016. There are still contentious issues remaining in the negotiations and one of the key issues is on raw materials, under the Energy and Raw Materials Chapter. This chapter specifically regulates the opening of market access and investment in the energy and raw materials sectors to ensure that there are no barriers to EU trade and investment.
However, the liberalization of investment and trade in energy and raw materials in the Indonesia-EU CEPA would have a negative impact on the national interests of Indonesia, the environment, and the Indonesian people at large. For this reason, while we acknowledge the importance of a deepened relationship between the EU and Indonesia based on solidarity and trade cooperation, European and Indonesian civil society groups want to express their concerns regarding CEPA’s implications, in particular on human rights and the environment as well as Indonesia’s capacity to add value to its raw materials.
Korea, Malaysia set to hold 8th round of negotiations on bilateral FTA
Korea and Malaysia were set to hold their eighth round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) Tuesday, as the two sides seek to broaden their trade portfolio and enhance cooperation. The latest round of talks on the FTA was scheduled to kick off in Seoul for a four-day run, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The two sides plan to focus on making progress in negotiations across 10 sectors, including goods, services, investment and economic cooperation, the ministry added. Following a five-year hiatus, the two nations agreed to resume talks on a free trade deal in March 2024. Korea already has an FTA with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), but it is seeking to forge separate free trade deals with individual members, including Malaysia.
Nigeria signs on AfCFTA tariffs
Nigeria has gazetted its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs) under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), marking a major milestone in the country’s commitment to regional integration and trade facilitation across Africa. Announced by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, via her official X handle yesterday, the development makes Nigeria the 23rd AfCFTA State Party to formally gazette its PSTCs. The move enhances regulatory transparency and provides businesses with clear guidelines on import duty concessions. Describing the milestone as a “Big Win for Nigerian Trade,” Oduwole revealed that Nigeria also officially signed and submitted the ECOWAS Tariff Offer at the recent AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The tariff offer establishes zero duties on 90 per cent of goods traded within Africa; positioning Nigeria as a key player in the continent’s evolving economic landscape.
A.TR movement certificates on EU-Turkey relations
Council Decision (EU) 2025/559 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Customs Cooperation Committee, established under the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and Turkey, with regard to the adoption of a decision on the use of A.TR movement certificates issued in electronic form, has been released. The decision allows the use of A.TR movement certificates in electronic form, with the aim of streamlining customs procedures. The purpose of the regulation is to facilitate the free movement of goods within the EU-Turkey customs union and to adapt procedures to modern technological requirements. Link
Sri Lanka, UAE sign agreement to strengthen economic ties
Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments to strengthen economic and investment relations between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini and Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath during Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Feb. 10-13 visit to UAE. The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate and strengthen foreign investments between the two countries by ensuring investor rights protection, promoting economic cooperation, and establishing comprehensive investment protection mechanisms, dispute resolution frameworks, and policy structures.
Vietnam, US to start negotiations on reciprocal trade agreement
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the US agreed to begin formal negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including discussions on tariffs, and proposed that technical teams from both sides begin consultations immediately. The agreement was reached on Wednesday (09 April) afternoon (local time) during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The meeting took place during Deputy PM Phớc’s visit to the US as a Special Envoy of Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, aimed at discussing bilateral economic and trade issues. Source : Government of Vietnam
Switzerland: Federal Council postpones updating tariff preferences for developing countries
On 16 April 2025, the Federal Council decided to postpone the entry into force of the update of Switzerland's system of unilateral tariff preferences in favour of developing countries to 1 April 2026. This decision gives economic operators more time to make the necessary adjustments.
Switzerland grants unilateral tariff preferences to developing countries as part of its Generalised System of Preferences. On 29 January, the Federal Council decided to update the current system in order to take better account of the changes in the status of various developing countries in recent years. This amendment was to come into force on 1 May 2025. For more information, please click on Link
Swiss - Matrix PEM
The matrix has been updated in the light of the revised rules of the PEM Convention (EU-Egypt). Link
Swiss - Proofs of Origin
Leaflet on the Determination of the Formal Validity of Proofs of Origin, Paragraphs 1.1.1 and 2.1.1 have been amended. Link
United States signals resumption of trade talks with kenya
US President Donald Trump’s administration has signalled its intention to restart talks for a comprehensive trade agreement with Kenya, insisting a deal will inform negotiations with other African countries as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) expires. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Congress last week that a meeting with his Kenyan counterpart, Lee Kinyanjui, took place in Washington at the beginning of the month, laying the ground for the resumption of talks. A trade agreement with Kenya, which would be the first US free trade deal in Sub-Saharan Africa, comes as governments around the world reeled from new tariffs imposed by Mr Trump, which sowed fears of a global trade war and recession.