Progress on EU-Swiss deal remains a distance away

Significance

Political divisions in Switzerland have put the deal on hold. By threatening some of Switzerland's existing privileges, the Commission is seeking to increase the pressure for the signature and ratification of a deal agreed in late 2018.

Impacts

• The experience of negotiating Brexit will make the EU less willing to give concessions to third countries over single market access.
• Switzerland's export industries and financial services firms would be worst affected if the IFA collapses.
• The Swiss economy would be one of the worst-affected in Europe from global reforms to corporate tax structures.