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Maroš Šefčovič

Maroš Šefčovič

European Commissioner for Trade

Appears in 4 stories

Born: 1966 (age 59 years), Bratislava, Slovakia
Party: Direction – Social Democracy
Previous offices: Acting European Commissioner for Climate Action (2023–2023), Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal (2023–2024), Vice-President of the European Commission (2019–2023), and more
Education: Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Comenius University Bratislava, and University of Economics in Bratislava
Spouse: Helena Šefčovičová

Notable Quotes

"With e-commerce expanding rapidly, the world is changing fast – and we need the right tools to keep pace." — Maroš Šefčovič

A kind of milestone for us is the end of January. The EU should be the official guest at India's National Day. It would be a great opportunity to conclude this agreement. — January 2026

This is the largest trade deal ever. Several sectors on both sides are set to benefit from this agreement such as the EU automotive, aerospace, machinery, and chemicals industries. — January 27, 2026

Stories

Europe’s €3 parcel duty is the opening shot in a bigger war on ultra-cheap imports

Rule Changes

Publicly backing tougher EU action on low-value import flows

The EU just put a price tag on the business model that turned "free shipping from China" into a daily habit. On 12 December 2025, EU governments approved a temporary €3 customs duty on low-value e-commerce parcels under €150—starting 1 July 2026.

Updated Yesterday

US-EU trade deal ratification standoff

Rule Changes

Pressing Washington to restore original Turnberry tariff terms ahead of July deadline

Trump and von der Leyen announced a US-EU trade framework at Turnberry, Scotland, in July 2025. The deal still isn't ratified, nearly ten months on. On May 8, Trump gave Brussels until July 4 to close it, threatening tariffs above the 25% levy already on European cars.

Updated 5 days ago

The EU-India free trade deal: racing toward a January finish

Rule Changes

Successfully concluded negotiations for what he called 'the largest trade deal ever'

After 19 years, 14 formal rounds, and a January sprint that defied skeptics, India and the European Union concluded their free trade agreement on January 26, 2026. EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, attending India's Republic Day as chief guests, jointly announced the deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27. Von der Leyen called it 'the mother of all deals'—a pact creating a free trade zone of 2 billion people and a combined market of $27 trillion, representing 25% of global GDP. President Droupadi Murmu hailed the agreement in her January 28 address to Parliament, marking formal political ratification on both sides.

Updated Jan 28

EU and Mercosur sign world's largest free trade agreement after 26 years

Rule Changes

Leading European Parliament lobbying effort; designated to represent Commission at censure debate

Negotiations between the EU and Mercosur began in 1999. Twenty-six years later, on January 17, 2026, representatives signed a comprehensive free trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay—the same city where Mercosur itself was founded in 1991. The deal eliminates tariffs on more than 90% of bilateral trade and creates the world's largest free trade zone, covering over 700 million consumers and roughly a quarter of global GDP. Days after the signing, the European Parliament voted 334-324 to refer the agreement to the European Court of Justice over legal concerns about the Commission's decision to split the deal into trade and non-trade pillars, potentially bypassing national parliaments.

Updated Jan 26