Switzerland is exploring what concessions it can make to secure a deal with Washington on trade, but it must tread carefully to protect its interests with key trading partner, the European Union, politicians and people familiar with the matter said.

Swiss officials approved the draft of a framework trade deal with the US almost two weeks ago, and are continuing talks while awaiting sign off from President Donald Trump, according to the government.

"Today's deal creates certainty in uncertain times, delivers stability and predictability," von der Leyen told reporters before leaving Scotland. (Reporting by Andrew Gray in Prestwick and Sudip Kar-Gupta in Brussels;