Headlines

Swiss economy minister signs Mercosur agreement in Brazil

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 16, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Swiss economy minister signs Mercosur agreement in Brazil
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

ZURICH (Reuters) -Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin on Tuesday formally signed a free trade agreement that was concluded earlier this year with the Mercosur states, his ministry said. Parmelin

Swiss Economy Minister Finalizes Mercosur Trade Agreement in Brazil

Overview of the Mercosur Trade Agreement

ZURICH (Reuters) -Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin on Tuesday formally signed a free trade agreement that was concluded earlier this year with the Mercosur states, his ministry said.

Details of the Agreement

Parmelin signed the deal in Rio de Janeiro with representatives of the other member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), his ministry said in a statement.

The free trade deal will enable tariff savings for Swiss companies of over 155 million Swiss francs ($197 million) per year in commerce with the bloc, it said.

Next Steps for Approval

The Swiss government will submit the accord to parliament for approval, and it will take effect once the approval processes among the signatories have been completed.

($1 = 0.7874 Swiss francs)

(Writing by Dave Graham, editing by Thomas Escritt)

Key Takeaways

  • Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin signed a trade agreement with Mercosur.
  • The deal promises tariff savings of over 155 million Swiss francs annually.
  • The agreement was signed in Rio de Janeiro with EFTA representatives.
  • The Swiss parliament will review the agreement for approval.
  • The agreement will take effect after all signatories complete approval processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who signed the Mercosur trade agreement?
Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin signed the agreement in Brazil.
What are the expected tariff savings from the agreement?
The free trade deal will enable tariff savings for Swiss companies of over 155 million Swiss francs ($197 million) per year.
What is the next step after signing the agreement?
The Swiss government will submit the accord to parliament for approval, and it will take effect once the approval processes among the signatories have been completed.

Related Articles

More from Headlines

Explore more articles in the Headlines category