«Die Zeit spielt gegen die Schweiz», sagt Wirtschaftsminister Parmelin zu Mercosur. Der Ständerat stimmt dem Freihandelsabkommen zu

Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin lamented, "Die Zeit spielt gegen die Schweiz," during the Mercosur free trade agreement discussion. The Ständerat approved the agreement, providing Swiss exporters with new markets. However, farmers feared losses due to imported meat and wine from Mercosur countries. An alliance of farmers and left-wing politicians had previously rejected the deal in the National Council during the summer session.

The Federal Council had initially proposed allocating 158 million francs to farmers, but the Ständerat later increased this to 517 million francs, mostly as interest-free investment credits. Parmelin emphasized that the Swiss economy relies on innovation, quality, and market access, and that protectionism is "en vogue." Despite opposition from left-leaning parties, the Ständerat's majority voted in favor of the free trade deal, with Agriculture Minister Esther Friedli petitioning for additional funds, which the Ständerat deemed insufficient without accompanying measures for farmers.

The agreement marks a significant change in Swiss policy, as it allows for increased agricultural imports from Mercosur countries, outside the existing WTO quotas.