The American engine

The relationship between Switzerland and the USA has become so dynamic that it is beginning to eclipse the bilateral agreements in place with the EU. Now there's a chance of a free trade agreement.

"Bilateral relations are central and critical. They must be preserved and defended at all costs": you hear this message day in, day out from business associations, trade unions, federal agencies, politicians and NGOs who act as spokespersons for what we call civil society. The media's in on it, too. "Is there a risk of a new bilateral ice age on the horizon?" was a recent title used by the NZZ newspaper with regard to the procedural situation unfolding in relation to the EU framework agreement. But what does "bilateral" actually mean? In principle, is the world made up of two parts? Who is on the other side, the side that is facing Switzerland? Is this other side made up of the 28 count ...