On this day, 65 years ago, January 4, 1960 (December 6, 1959 in the lunar calendar), the European Free Trade Association was established. During the preparation process of the European Community, Britain and the other six Western European countries led by France had differences on the issue of tariff systems. Britain advocated the plan to establish a European Free Trade Area without unified external tariffs. France, fearing that it would be at a disadvantage in trade competition, rejected the plan and joined forces with five other countries to establish the European Common Market in 1957. This action angered Britain. In November 1959 Britain joined Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Austria and Portugal to form a European Free Trade Association (EFTA). On January 4, 1960, the seven countries signed the "Convention Establishing the European Free Trade Association" in Stockholm, and the alliance was officially established. trade area). Finland became an associate member in June 1961, and Iceland joined the Union in March 1970. The Convention provides for the gradual elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers on industrial products among member countries, the realization of free trade and the expansion of trade in agricultural products. Because the strength of the Union was not as good as that of the European Community, Britain and Denmark withdrew from the Union at the end of 1972 and joined the European Community. The remaining member states also signed agreements with the European Community countries to establish free trade zones. Currently, the alliance consists of six countries, with Finland and Liechtenstein as associate members. Headquartered in Geneva. It is connected to the European Community and forms the world's largest free trade area.