Maroš Šefčovič
First Vice President of European Commission
Photo: © European Union, 2026, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
- 4d ago
IMF sees 3.1% global growth in 2026 as AI investment offsets energy shock
Speaking at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, the fund says AI spending has kept the world economy afloat, while energy costs, inflation and debt are shrinking room for policy.
- 4d ago
European luxury firms lose about $350 billion as LVMH misses and China weakens
LVMH's fashion and leather goods sales fell 5% in the third quarter, well below expectations, as Chinese demand weakened. Europe's top luxury stocks have shed about $350 billion this year, while Beijing's hybrid car trade deal with the EU and BMW's China slump add to the pressure on European industry.
- 5d ago
EU readies China trade deterrent as hybrid car cap sets template for more curbs
The European Union is preparing a deterrence tool that could cut a rival off from its single market, while officials weigh curbs on chemicals and machinery after a hybrid car cap agreed with Beijing.
- Oct 9
China and EU agree to moderate hybrid car exports after Beijing talks
Sefcovic says the understanding opens the prospect of cutting Chinese hybrid and plug-in hybrid exports to the EU by more than half, and leaders of all 27 member states still have to approve it.
- Oct 9
EU picks 46 strategic mineral projects amid China dependence, needing €21.1 billion
The European Commission chose 46 projects across 16 member states to speed permitting and help developers win funding. The projects are expected to need about €21.1 billion in capital investment as the bloc tries to reduce its reliance on China.
- Oct 5
Trump signs executive order permitting road vehicles to use tax-exempt red diesel
President Donald Trump signed an order in Grand Island, Nebraska, waiving federal penalties on highway use of agricultural dyed diesel through December 31 as fuel prices top $6 a gallon.
- Oct 5
EU trade chief visits Beijing over 360 billion euro deficit as auto quotas loom
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič opened two days of negotiations with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao after Beijing rejected voluntary hybrid car export limits.
- Oct 3
China opens anti-dumping probe into European Union p-nitrotoluene chemical imports
China launched an anti-dumping investigation into European Union p-nitrotoluene imports after domestic producers cited a near 60% price drop over three years.
- Oct 2
G20 trade ministers deadlock on industrial overcapacity and forced labor at Milwaukee talks
Trade ministers from the Group of 20 concluded two days of negotiations in Milwaukee on 1 October 2026, agreeing only to condemn food trade coercion while deadlocking on excess industrial capacity and supply chain forced labor.
- Sep 22
EU and Philippines agree on trade deal as Canada advances parallel pact
Brussels and Manila have reached an agreement in principle on a free trade deal that removes tariffs on over 94% of tariff lines, while Canada reports separate talks are 90% complete.
- Jun 30
EU introduces €3 customs fee per product type on low-value parcels from non-EU countries
From 1 July, every distinct product category in a low-value parcel imported into the EU from outside the bloc will carry a €3 charge, as Brussels moves to curb unfair competition and improve safety oversight.
