Questioned by MEPs about the trade deal with Latin American countries, the Slovakian-appointed commissioner defended a deal that would satisfy opponents demanding insurance and transparency for farmers.
Controversial Free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur it could be “to close on a very, very fair basis”, Maroš Šefčovic said at his confirmation hearing as the new European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security on Monday.
Maroš Šefčovic, commissioner since 2009, stuck to the script and answered questions in the European Parliament for more than three hours. He was questioned mostly by French MPs about the deal with Mercosur. The main opponent of the agreement is FranceŠefčovič said negotiations were continuing andtechnical level He stated that they have not yet reached a political level.
The trade agreement, which has been discussed for more than twenty years with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), remove trade barriers Such as tariffs to create a free trade area covering 780 million people and exports and imports of between 40,000 and 45,000 million euros annually.
For the deal’s European opponents, “fair ground” means taking the deal into consideration. Farmers’ lawsuits and environmental insurance Europeans want to see guarantees in the agreement.
As Mercosur countries continue negotiations on environmental standards, Šefčovic said that the EU’s trading partners sometimes view the environment as a unilateral request from the EU, and sometimes it is perceived as environmental standards. “regulatory imperialism” and said the EU should make “further convergence efforts”.
A few months after Europe suffered Major farmer protestsSlovak, EU “hypervigilant” to defend their interests.
To those who questioned the transparency of the negotiation process, he promised: “When we know that the negotiations have reached the final stage or are over, I will come to see you with a PowerPoint, a calculator, as promised, with all the necessary data.” .
Questioned for the last time on the issue by French MP Manon Aubry (Left), who criticized the impact of the Mercosur agreement on farmers and health, Šefčovič almost raised his voice. “We have been Latin America’s number one trading partner for decades. Everywhere is China now“.
A “very complex” China
On China, Šefčovic reiterated above all the policy of Ursula von der Leyen, who has led the bloc towards a more assertive response to Beijing’s unfair trade practices.
Commissioner candidate describes China as trading partner “very complex and often difficult” This poses a formidable list of challenges for the bloc, including overcapacity, landfill, heavy subsidies and protectionist restrictions.
Šefčovic strongly defended the Commission’s investigation into electric vehicles produced in China, which the government claims are over-subsidized to be sold around the world at artificially low prices. As a result the Commission He imposed heavy tariffsImports of electric vehicles from China have led to threats of retaliation from Beijing.
“EU not interested in trade wars“, said the parliamentary candidate. “We cannot tolerate the use of subsidies to protect Chinese jobs at the expense of European (businesses).”
EU and Chinese officials are still trying to negotiate a solution based on minimum prices, but Šefčovic said this solution must be as “effective and enforceable” as tariffs. “This is important to us,” he added.
China was also one of the countries Šefčovic mentioned when condemning the “completely unacceptable” overreach of sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. China has long been accused of supporting the Kremlin’s war economy Exporting high-tech products that the West prevents.
In a comment aimed at irritating Beijing, the Slovak vowed to deepen trade cooperation with Taiwan, the self-governing island that is building a world-class semiconductor industry. Recent investments by Taiwanese companies in Europe, such as TSMC’s €3.5 billion plan to build a microchip plant in Dresden and Prologium’s €5.2 billion plan for a battery factory in Dunkirk, demonstrate this He called the “potential” of EU-Taiwan relations.
ADVERTGlenn Micallef: young but well prepared
Parallel to Šefčovic’s closely watched appearance, another interrogation was taking place: that of Glenn Micallef, the 35-year-old Maltese commissioner for Culture, Sport and Intergenerational Equality.
Micallef, whose appointment ignited the spark Serious doubts due to lack of manager experienceBy focusing attention on his own generation, he sought to dispel any doubts about his readiness for the top job.
“Youth underrepresented in politics and are less likely to vote. “This could lead to policies that do not take into account their interests and concerns,” Micallef told European Parliament lawmakers on Monday, pledging to work with them to ensure no one is left behind.
The Maltese was questioned by Parliament’s Culture Committee on a wide range of issues, including the future EU action plan against cyberbullying, protecting European artists and culture in the age of artificial intelligence and how to ensure the EU budget covers programs on cyberbullying. culture, sports and youth.
ADVERTThere must be EU funding “a real impact on the ground” In his speech to MEPs, he stated that the focus will be on increasing the competitiveness of the sector, protecting cultural heritage and multilingualism, and promoting culture in all policy areas.
“The cultural and creative sector also has enormous potential for our economy. However, much of this potential currently appears untapped,” the 35-year-old commissioner said.
Unlike other commissioner candidates, Micallef has not worked for EU institutions before but is familiar with Brussels. Former head of Malta’s EU Coordination Unit.
