Swiss nominee says Switzerland maintained dialogue with China since 1991 and joined criticism over Uighurs

The nominee for Switzerland told senators that Switzerland has held a dialogue with the People's Republic of China since 1991, that COVID curtailed some conversations, and that Switzerland has publicly criticized China over the Uighur situation.

Responding to Senator Mitt Romney, the nominee said the bilateral dialogue should be reestablished and that Switzerland did come out and join the criticism of the situation and Xi and, and also with the Uighurs. The nominee argued it is incumbent on Swiss authorities to press companies to recognize risks tied to doing business in China.

Why it matters: Switzerland's unique economic and diplomatic links to China make its posture notable for U.S. policymakers balancing engagement and human-rights concerns.

The nominee emphasized using diplomacy and corporate engagement rather than severing ties outright: I do hope that Switzerland will be proactive in reestablishing that conversation... and... having a dialogue, with the companies, based in Switzerland, to make sure that they understand also the risk of doing business in China.