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Slovak EU Commissioner Šefčovič to try to avert transatlantic trade conflict in the USA

by AI | 16.Feb 2025 | Europe in brief AI

European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič is preparing for a visit to the USA, where he is set to defend the EU’s trade interests.

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Brussels – The Slovak EU Commissioner responsible for trade policy and economic security, Maroš Šefčovič, will travel to Washington next week, where he will hold several meetings in an effort to avert a transatlantic trade conflict. This was confirmed to TASR under the condition of anonymity by a source familiar with the matter.

These meetings are expected to be at a high level.

According to the Politico portal, Šefčovič will be the highest-ranking EU figure to visit Washington since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on January 20. According to Politico, Šefčovič has several meetings planned in the US, including a meeting with Trump’s administration’s Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick, the head of the US Trade Representative Office (USTR) Jamieson Greer, and Trump’s economic adviser Kevin Hassett.

Šefčovič’s trip to the USA was later confirmed by one of the European Commission spokespersons, Politico writes.

The EU is one of America’s largest economic partners, with goods and services worth more than 1.5 trillion euros traded each year, the portal points out.

On Friday, Trump presented a proposal to impose reciprocal tariffs on US trade partners, which he says will come into effect as early as April. The Commission on Friday condemned Washington’s announcement of new tariffs as “a step in the wrong direction”.

During his appearance before Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday (11.2.), Šefčovič emphasized that the EU will protect its interests and clarified that the European Commission is currently looking for ways to respond as balanced as possible and protect European businesses, workers, and consumers. He admitted to MEPs that the situation that has arisen “is not our preferred scenario,” but as he added, the EU is willing to engage in dialogue with the American side, negotiate, and find the best possible solution for both sides. (February 16)