Bilateral III: MEM-SMEs Demand Clarity, Not Ideology

The public debate regarding the Bilateral III agreements is frequently conducted along political lines. However, the perspective of SMEs in the mechanical, electrical, and metal industries is more nuanced. For them, stable and reliable relations with the European Union are a central component of economic reality - both in terms of sales markets and procurement, value chains, and investment decisions.

Experiences with the Bilateral I and II agreements are predominantly viewed as beneficial by the majority of surveyed companies. Also, with the Bilateral III agreements, many MEM-SMEs recognize the potential benefits, particularly regarding secured market access, the reduction of technical trade barriers, and long-term planning and supply security. Nonetheless, they meet the institutional framework of the new agreements with skepticism. This skepticism is less based on negative practical experiences and more on concerns about additional administrative burdens and potential over-fulfillment of European requirements ('Swiss Overcompliance').

Uncertainty about the concrete impacts of Bilateral III on their own business is currently particularly pronounced. Many SMEs find the package of agreements difficult to understand. About every second company indicates a need for additional information - especially for concise, practice-oriented content and in-depth information on the economic impacts on their sector.

The results also reveal a clear link between the level of information and assessment: as understanding increases, uncertainty and skepticism significantly decrease. Well-informed companies take clear positions, weighing opportunities more heavily than risks, while less well-informed SMEs show a reservation marked by uncertainty about the impacts of the Bilateral agreements.

The survey makes it clear: MEM-SMEs expect not political slogans but transparent information, reliable framework conditions, and a realistic assessment of practical implementation. Swissmechanic will continue to bring the concerns of companies into the political discussion in a fact-based manner and address the high demand for information in a targeted way.

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