U.S., Switzerland enter trade cooperation agreement

U.S., Switzerland enter trade cooperation agreement    The Bush administration has signed a trade and investment cooperation forum agreement with Switzerland.
   The agreement will serve as a platform on which both countries can examine ways to strengthen their bilateral economic relationship.
   “We will use the forum to pursue initiatives in specific areas, with a view to concluding agreements or other arrangements that offer real opportunities for workers, farmers, service providers, manufacturers and consumers in our two countries,” said U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman in a statement.
   Two-way goods trade between the United States and Switzerland was $23.7 billion in 2005. U.S. goods exports to Switzerland in 2005 totaled $10.7 billion, including pharmaceuticals, machinery, and optic and medical instruments. U.S. exports of agricultural products to Switzerland totaled $171 million, including meat, cotton, tree nuts, and wine and beer, the USTR said.