The share of zero-tariff imports in goods trade for China and Switzerland will exceed 99 percent, after the two sides recently concluded negotiations on upgrading the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) told a press conference on Thursday.

The move, seen by analysts as a signal to the EU, will eventually double duty-free coverage included in 12-year-old free-trade agreement.

The revised pact will eliminate Chinese tariffs on 99.8% of Swiss exports, expanding Beijing’s economic footprint in Europe amid EU trade tensions