Trade

Swiss companies have traditionally been present in key markets abroad in order to expand beyond their limited domestic market. As a result, Switzerland has become an important player in international trade, advocating for trade-friendly policies and promoting an open and rule-based global trading system. It specializes in exporting high-quality goods and services and has one of the highest export rates as a percentage of GDP.

Since 2021, the U.S. has been Switzerland’s most important goods export market worldwide. Goods exports to the U.S. have grown at an average rate of 7.94% annually over the last 10 years and continue to be strong. In 2023, goods exports reached $56.29 billion and services exports amounted to $32.31 billion. Conversely, the U.S. exports more products to Switzerland than to Scandinavia, the Baltic states, and Austria combined, making Switzerland its 14^th most important export market for goods. Furthermore, U.S. services exports to Switzerland amount to $55.6 billion, making Switzerland the 4th most important export market for services for the U.S., ahead of Mexico and Germany. The bilateral trade volume in goods and services between Switzerland and the U.S. reached a total of $185.9 billion in 2023.

Investment and Jobs

Although Switzerland is less than 1% the size of the United States, Switzerland is the 7th most important foreign investor, with cumulative investments of $307 billion. Around 500 Swiss companies are active in the U.S., supporting half-a-million jobs in all 50 states. Switzerland invests more in the U.S. than in Germany, France, Italy and the U.K. combined. Conversely, total U.S. business investments in Switzerland amount to about $212.2 billion, translating to more than 104,000 Swiss jobs. More than 1,200 American companies, from early-stage innovators to well-known multinationals, have operations in Switzerland.

But it is not only about quantity—it is foremost about quality. Swiss companies in the United States rank first in terms of the average yearly salary they pay (roughly $110,000). And no other investor in the U.S. invests as much in research and development per workplace as Swiss companies. Swiss investments in the U.S. are not only beneficial to the U.S. They are equally important to the Swiss economy, creating and maintaining jobs in Switzerland as well. For our companies, America has long been and will continue to be a very attractive location to drive innovation and produce high-quality goods.

A Joint Economic Commission, the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum, and the EFTA-U.S. Trade Policy Dialogue help to strengthen and promote economic relations between the two countries.

Banking & Finance

Switzerland’s financial sector is a significant pillar of its economy, accounting for approximately 10% of Swiss GDP. Domestically, Switzerland’s deep and efficient capital markets have fostered a highly diversified and vibrant network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Globally, Switzerland’s financial sector plays a crucial role in financial intermediation. The driving factors behind Switzerland’s preferred status as an international financial center are political stability as well as an efficient institutional and regulatory environment.