The Swiss Federal Council focused on economic competitiveness, social security reform, and international relations throughout 2025, according to a recently released report. The council also addressed trade tensions with the United States and outlined its priorities for the coming years.
A key development was the provisional application, effective retroactively to the beginning of 2025, of an agreement on EU programs (EUPA) covering areas like education, research, innovation, and healthcare. This agreement, part of a broader set of accords between Switzerland and the EU that were put out for consultation in 2025, aims to stabilize and develop the bilateral relationship.
Trade relations with the U.S. Demanded significant attention from the Federal Council following the announcement of novel tariffs on goods from numerous countries, including Switzerland, in April 2025. Initially, the U.S. President announced duties of 39% on many Swiss imports. However, a November agreement reached a declaration of intent to lower those tariffs to 15%, with the weighted average rate further reduced due to various exceptions.
Further negotiations between Switzerland and the United States are planned, with the Federal Council having approved a mandate for these talks on January 14, 2026, after consulting with Parliament. The move underscores the importance of maintaining stable trade relationships for the Swiss economy.
Other major items addressed by the Federal Council in 2025 included a proposal for a new federal law on electronic health records, a new global tariff system for ambulatory medical services (TARDOC), a report on the Swiss army for 2025, and a proposal to amend the law on electrical installations.
These efforts align with four guiding principles established by the Federal Council for the 2023-2027 legislative period:
1) Ensuring Switzerland’s lasting prosperity and capitalizing on digital opportunities;
2) Promoting national and intergenerational cohesion;
3) Ensuring security, working for peace, and acting consistently and reliably internationally;
4) Protecting the climate and conserving natural resources.
These principles are further broken down into 25 objectives encompassing a total of 148 planned projects for 2025. According to the report, 88 of these projects were fully implemented, while 9 were partially completed.
Completed projects included a proposal for a commitment credit to compensate for regional passenger transport services for the years 2026 to 2028, the first national monitoring report on poverty, the Asia G20 Strategy 2025–2028, and a proposal to amend the rural land law. The Federal Council often carries over uncompleted projects to the following year’s objectives.
The 2025 management report also details unplanned but significant initiatives, such as a support program for Ukraine spanning 2025 to 2028, a proposal for a budgetary relief program for 2027, an agreement on climate change, trade, and sustainability, and an extension of the maximum compensation period for reduced working hours.
The Federal Council’s management report will be reviewed by the Management Committees of the National Council and the Council of States in the spring of 2026, with both chambers of Parliament examining it during the summer session of 2026. The report is available online only.
