Switzerland wants more trade with China despite US-Chinese tensions 

The West is turning its back on China. Switzerland is doing the opposite and is deepening its economic ties with the Asian giant – but with what consequences? The West has adopted a harsh stance towards China. The European Union has imposed punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and the United States is ready to start a trade war with China. Many Western trade partners are trying to expand their delivery chains and forge new alliances. This approach, known as de-risking, is intended to dismantle critical dependencies. For many countries, the times when profit dictated their relationship with China are over – with one exception. Switzerland is seeking to intensify its economic relations with the Asian power. In September, the Swiss government gave the green light for negotiations to go ahead on expanding its free trade agreement (FTA) with China. Switzerland has always had a particularly friendly relationship with China. It was one of the first Western countries to recognise ...