Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the US have agreed on a legally non-binding joint statement. This will further stabilize economic relations and establishes in written form a bilateral tariff rate of 15% on most goods from Liechtenstein and Switzerland. In the joint statement, the US assures Liechtenstein and Switzerland of the same tariff treatment, thereby recognizing the customs treaty between both countries. At the same time, Liechtenstein and Switzerland commit to promoting investment by their companies in the US.

At the beginning of July, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the US were close to adopting a joint statement to avoid the reintroduction of high bilateral additional tariffs. At that time, no agreement could be reached. At the beginning of August, a unilaterally set tariff of 15% was applied to Liechtenstein, while a tariff rate of 39% was imposed on Switzerland. Since then, the three countries were able to come together and agree on a joint statement. This now forms the basis for further negotiations, in which Liechtenstein will advocate for additional tariff relief.

The joint statement stipulates that, until further notice, a capped bilateral customs duty of no more than 15% will apply to most goods from Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Previously, goods originating in Liechtenstein or Switzerland were subject to the additional bilateral tariff on top of the applicable most-favored-nation customs duty. With the 15% cap, Liechtenstein companies are now once again on an equal footing with those from the EU. This cap will also apply to possible sectoral tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceutical products. Existing sectoral tariffs, for example on steel and aluminum, remain unchanged. Of particular importance is that the US explicitly recognizes the customs union between Liechtenstein and Switzerland and intends to grant Liechtenstein and Switzerland the same tariff treatment going forward. In return, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will work to promote investment by their companies in the US and to the creation of jobs.

The Liechtenstein government welcomes the agreement on a joint statement. This means that Liechtenstein now belongs to the group of countries with which the US intends to determine its tariff policy through negotiations rather than unilateral measures. The declaration thus contributes to the further stabilization of economic relations with Liechtenstein's most important trading partner outside of Europe. Based on the contents of the joint statement, the next step will be to negotiate a binding trade agreement between Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the US. The government will define a negotiating mandate for this purpose. A binding agreement between Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the US is intended to create legal certainty in trade relations.