Beijing: China and Switzerland have jointly called for a united defense of the multilateral trade system amid ongoing challenges posed by the US trade war, which initiated with tariff hikes. This declaration was made during a meeting between Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing during Cassis's two-day state visit.

According to Anadolu Agency, both nations, recognized as strong advocates for multilateralism and free trade, emphasized the necessity to confront challenges related to anti-globalization. Wang Yi highlighted the importance of defending the legitimate rights and interests of all countries while maintaining the international economic and trade order. A statement from the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs outlined these sentiments, urging enhanced cooperation and accelerated negotiations to upgrade the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and Switzerland.

Cassis expressed Bern's readiness to expedite the FTA negotiation process, aligning with the shared goals of both nations. He stressed the importance of unity within the international community to defend multilateralism and free trade while upholding an international order rooted in the rule of law.

The discussion between the two foreign ministers extended to cover broader international and regional issues, including the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and developments in the Middle East, as noted in the statement.