Trade remedies

Many of Switzerland's trading partners deploy trade defence instruments such as safeguard and anti-dumping or anti-subsidy measures. Switzerland does not employ such trade remedies.

With its export-oriented economy and globally active businesses, Switzerland has a critical interest in preventing protectionist action on trade and in resolving disputes on the basis of the relevant international trade agreements. It is therefore committed to establishing and maintaining stable trade relations with its partners.

Safeguard measures on steel imports from the EU and UK

The European Union (EU) imposed safeguard measures on certain steel imports in 2018 in response to US import tariffs on steel and aluminium. The United Kingdom also imposed safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products from 1 January 2021 following its withdrawal from the EU. Switzerland is affected by these measures, which are based on WTO law.

Measures taken by the European Union (EU)

The European Commission adopted definitive safeguard measures on steel imports in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/159 dated 31 January 2019. The safeguard measures originally applied from 2 February 2019 to 30 June 2021 and were extended several times thereafter. Most recently, the EU extended the measures again by two years from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2026 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1782.

The safeguard measures are implemented in the form of country-specific tariff quotas per product category (26 in total). For Switzerland, country-specific quotas exist for product groups 12, 14, 16, 21, 26 and 27. The size of the quotas is based on average annual imports in 2015, 2016 and 2017, with quota volumes increasing by 4% annually and by 1% from 1 July 2024. For the remaining product categories, imports from Switzerland fall under the global quotas for other countries.

An additional duty of 25% is due on imports that exceed the quotas.

The fill rate for quotas is published by the EU Commission via Tariff quota consultation and updated on an ongoing basis.

MMeasures taken by the United Kingdom (UK)

Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU, the former introduced separate safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products with effect from 1 January 2021. These concern a total of 19 product categories from the EU safeguard measures on steel imports.

For its part, the UK has also extended the safeguard measures several times, most recently from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2026, in line with the EU.

The safeguard measures are implemented in the form of country-specific tariff quotas per product category. The size of the quotas is based on average annual imports in 2015, 2016 and 2017, with quota volumes increasing by 3% annually. No specific tariff quotas apply to Switzerland, so imports of the products in question from Switzerland fall under the global quotas for other countries.

An additional duty of 25% is due on imports that exceed the quotas.

The fill rate for UK quotas can be consulted via UK Integrated Online Tariff. Search for the tariff line, then select the quota number under Import.

Position of the Swiss federal authorities

Switzerland has repeatedly asked the European Commission and EU member states for an exemption from the European safeguard measures. The aim here is that trade defence measures should not restrict trade between Switzerland and the EU, and that they should comply in full with the obligations of the Swiss-EU Free Trade Agreement of 1972 and WTO law. Similarly, Switzerland has intervened on several occasions with the UK to ensure that British safeguard measures do not hinder trade between the two countries.