China and Switzerland have completed negotiations on an upgraded free trade agreement and signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday.
Swiss Federal President and Minister for Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao announced the conclusion of the talks after a meeting in Bern.
The China-Switzerland free trade agreement was signed in July 2013 and came into effect in July 2014. It was the first free trade agreement between China and a major continental European country.
In September 2024, the two countries formally launched negotiations to modernize and expand the pact.
China, Switzerland reach agreement on upgraded free trade deal
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has approved a possible sale of KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment to Qatar for an estimated 4.5 billion U.S. dollars, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Thursday.
Qatar has requested to purchase up to four KC-46A aircraft, along with eight PW4062 turbofan engines, including four spares, radar warning receivers, infrared countermeasure systems, and other equipment and support services, according to the statement.
Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces, the statement said, adding the proposed sale "will not alter the basic military balance in the region."
Trump administration approves possible 4.5 bln USD sale of KC-46A refueling aircraft to Qatar
