According to a survey, any vote on Switzerland’s customs deal with the USA would fail as things stand today.
Dec 3, 2025, 7:51 amDec 3, 2025, 7:51 am
69 percent of those surveyed said they were “against” or “somewhat against,” as the survey commissioned by “Blick” showed. Almost a third of the Swiss surveyed would somewhat or completely support the customs deal.
The Sotomo opinion research institute carried out the survey on behalf of the newspaper at the end of November and interviewed around 9,300 people. In mid-November, Switzerland and the USA signed a joint declaration of intent to reduce US tariffs on most Swiss products from 39 to 15 percent.
In a similar one YouGov pollwhich was recently published, showed a comparable picture. More than half of the Swiss population is of the opinion that Switzerland allowed itself to be put under pressure by the USA over the 15 percent deal.
Little acceptance of concessions
The “Blick” survey also shows that the Swiss concessions in the declaration of intent are not well received by the majority of respondents. For 80 percent of those surveyed, foregoing restrictions on the flow of data to the USA went too far.
Commitments such as the waiver of the introduction of a digital tax, the duty-free import of limited quantities of meat from the USA, the investment of 200 billion francs by Swiss companies in the USA and the registration of US pick-up trucks in Switzerland also met with little acceptance. The stronger cooperation with the USA on sanctions against third parties experienced less headwind. But according to the graphic, this plan also went too far for 55 percent of the participants.
Various Swiss business leaders at a meeting with Donald Trump in early November. Image: MSC; ROLEX; PARTNERS GROUP; MERC
Those surveyed do not expect a permanent reduction in tariffs
The participants apparently do not have much trust in the US government. When asked whether they expected the US government to permanently reduce tariffs to 15 percent, supporters of the left-wing camp were particularly skeptical. 71 percent of Green Party sympathizers answered this question with “no” or “probably no”.
A majority of centrist supporters also do not expect a permanent reduction. The sympathizers of the FDP and SVP appeared more confident: the majority of them answered the question with “yes” or “more likely yes”.
Referendum is possible
Economy Minister Guy Parmelin rejected criticism that Switzerland had made too many concessions for the agreement. So far there has only been a declaration of intent. “Now we have to negotiate,” said the Federal Council at the end of November in the Saturday broadcast on Radio SRF. Switzerland could also demand certain things. For example, she could say that she wants more exemptions from tariffs. This will all be part of future negotiations.
Economy Minister Guy Parmelin does not believe that Switzerland has made too many concessions to the USA in the customs deal.Image: KEYSTONE
It is currently still unclear whether the Swiss electorate will decide on an agreement with the USA. First, the declaration of intent should result in a binding agreement. State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda said this in the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” on Tuesday. After the negotiations, Parliament will decide on this. “A referendum will also be possible, which would give the people the final say,” said the director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (sda)