The European Union remains open to business, but not at any price. This was the message delivered by Maroš Šefčovič, the incoming Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, during his Monday hearing in the European Parliament. He pledged a trade policy that seeks to balance sealing new deals with guarding Europe against unfair practices in a world that is growing more protectionist.
“Yes, the EU will continue to defend free and fair trade, but we will also be firm when our companies are harmed,” Šefčovič stated. His speech, preceded by a moment of silence for flood victims in Spain, was both a celebration of international commerce and a warning to China and the United States that the Union will respond to measures that distort its market.
For the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, this is a top priority. The German leader frames industrial and commercial policy as a matter of economic security for Europe, with a significant foreign policy dimension. Yet the lines are not entirely clear yet.
This tension showed in the hearing, where, awkwardly, Šefčovič directed eurodeputies to his colleague Kaja Kallas, who is expected to succeed Josep Borrell in charge of European diplomacy. He also steered away from thorny questions, including a call to suspend the cooperation agreement with Israel amid ongoing violations of international law in Gaza.
Otherwise, the Slovak appeared comfortable in a hearing that shifted focus toward his role as trade commissioner rather than his inter-institutional duties. Šefčovič pledged to push negotiations on pending deals, for example with Mercosur and Mexico, and to open new markets.
China, a difficult partner
The Slovak official outlined three key areas for his policy: boosting EU competitiveness, defending against unfair practices, and deepening alliances with third countries. “Trade and industrial policy must be aligned,” Šefčovič said, mindful that some challenges Europe faces require internal reforms even as the external dimension remains prominent.
“The EU is not seeking trade wars,” he noted regarding tensions with China, which he described as a “difficult partner.” He defended the Commission’s investigation that led to tariffs on imported electric cars, arguing the measures are based on solid facts and evidence. He added that Brussels continues to negotiate a path out with Beijing while keeping contingency plans ready if China escalates further.
For Šefčovič, the EU’s strategy to recalibrate its commercial relationship with China is legitimate, since certain practices by the giant appear to threaten European industry. Brussels, he argued, seeks more justice and equal conditions for European firms.
The United States, a priority
The hearing coincided with the moment when the first voters in the United States began to wake for a pivotal election day that will shape the nation and the world. Trade relations with Washington will be a top priority regardless of who wins the White House.
“Regardless of the outcome in the United States elections, I will present a cooperation offer,” Šefčovič stated, “and at the same time, I am ready to defend our interests if confronted with disruptive scenarios.” In practice, trade policy has seen limited change from the Trump era to the Biden era. Some disputes sparked by the former candidate remain unresolved in the current administration.
Šefčovič is committed to working on those open disputes, including the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, which the EU views as a protectionist policy that excludes European companies from favorable regimes in the American market. Beyond resolving pending matters, he highlighted Europe’s willingness to continue seeking areas for Washington and the 27 to collaborate through the Trade and Technology Council.
Calculations and PowerPoint
Questions about impact assessments for trade agreements and transparency were also central. On Mercosur, a topic debated by several French members in particular, Paris has long blocked the deal, now supported by farmers’ protests.
The Slovak pledged that once negotiations reach a close or final stage, he will personally go to explain the numbers, benefits, and how the deal would work, with calculator and PowerPoint in hand. He did acknowledge that negotiations are not yet at that stage, remaining technical rather than political.
They also addressed the matter of renewing the trade agreement with Ukraine, with the Commission working toward next year. “We are negotiating with Ukraine to ensure that once we reach a definitive agreement, it will include clear safeguards to ensure we can respond to market disturbances in sensitive agricultural products,” Šefčovič said.
At 58, Maroš Šefčovič is already the second most experienced commissioner in the Commission’s history and has spent a large portion of his career dealing with European policy. He began as a commissioner in 2009, near the end of Barroso’s first term, and continued through the subsequent mandate. The same trust later followed him to Juncker and then to Ursula von der Leyen, with a likely return in the near future.
During the day, other nominees came under scrutiny too: Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen, responsible for Agriculture and Food; Greek Apostolos Tzitzikostas, for Sustainable Transport and Tourism; and Maltese Glenn Micallef, in charge of Intergenerational Justice, Youth, Culture and Sport. All answered eurodeputies’ questions without major issues.
Micallef, if confirmed, would become the youngest commissioner at 35. He pledged to secure a seat for future generations at the Commission table, focus on strengthening culture across the EU, and address mental and physical health among youths, starting with addressing inactivity and obesity in Europe.
Hansen engaged the hearing with poise, defending the importance of a fair remuneration in the farming sector and the Common Agricultural Policy, noting that farmers would rather obtain fair prices than rely solely on public subsidies. He remembered his late brother, a farmer, and promised to visit Valencia’s farmers to show support.
Tzitzikostas emerged with enthusiasm after a transport-focused hearing. The Greek pledged to push a single European rail ticket system and to defend the automobile sector, even as the bloc aims to end sales of combustion-engine cars by 2035.
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