Bilateral relations between Switzerland and the USA

Relations between Switzerland and the United States are multifaceted and rich in tradition: around 460,000 Swiss emigrated to the USA between 1700 and 2003. The number of Americans with Swiss roots is estimated at just over the one million mark. Over 70,000 Swiss citizens, over 10% of Swiss expatriates, live in the USA.

Known as the "Sister Republics," Switzerland and the United States have a long history of shared democratic values. Both nations are built on a similar system of federalism: The U.S. Articles of Confederation were modeled after the old Swiss alliance of thirteen sovereign states, whereas the Swiss were inspired by the American Constitution when they formed the world's second federal state in 1848. As long ago as 1822, Switzerland opened consulates in Washington and New York. In 1882 it established its first embassy outside Europe in Washington. The formal basis of relations was the friendship and trade treaty of 1850.

Throughout the history of the bilateral relationship, Switzerland has rendered useful services to the USA in war zones and crisis areas, e.g. by taking on numerous mandates as a protecting power. To date it represents American interests in Iran and Cuba.

Relationship intensified
The USA is one of Switzerland's most important international trading partners outside Europe and the main destination for Swiss direct foreign investment. In recent years political relations have also intensified: Since 2005 a number of agreements including ones to strengthen bilateral relations, combat terrorism and create a trade and investment forum were signed. Since 2001 the two countries have also been maintaining regular contact at parliamentary level through the Friends of Switzerland Caucus in the U.S. with 29 members and its counterpart in the Swiss parliament. In addition to the Embassy, Switzerland has five consulates general throughout the U.S. In the fields of science and technology ("swissnex" in Boston and  in San Francisco) as well as in culture and image promotion, Switzerland maintains a wide-ranging presence in the USA. In fact, a new program called ThinkSwiss aims to foster an even stronger network of long-term relations in education, research and innovation between the United States and Switzerland through the exploration of 12 core topics.

Contacts
Please see right hand navigation bar for your contacts in Washington and Switzerland.