Šefčovič: Growing interest of many countries in the world in strengthening trade relations with the EU

Brussels – Foreign trade partners expect the EU to maintain strong positions and the reputation of one of the world’s strongest trading players in negotiations with the USA on tariffs. This was stated by the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, in an interview with Slovak media in Brussels. He clarified that in recent months, economically important countries have shown increased interest in strengthening trade relations with the EU, reports the TASR correspondent.

 Šefčovič recalled that at the end of last year, a trade agreement was completed with Mercosur countries, and negotiations on the modernization and expansion of relations between the EU and Switzerland were concluded. In January, negotiations on the modernization of the EU’s global agreement with Mexico were finalized, and at the beginning of this week, negotiations on a digital trade agreement with South Korea were also concluded.

“I must say that since this tension and turbulence from the United States in the trade domain began, there is immense interest in accelerating free trade agreements with the EU,” he described the situation. He specified that after Mercosur, Switzerland, Mexico, and South Korea, it is mainly the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, that have shown interest in concluding trade agreements with the Union in recent months.

The same applies, according to him, to the Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and in recent days he has had several working meetings with representatives of India.

“The interest is enormous. These countries perceive this situation similarly to us. They want a responsible partner who is predictable, respects agreements, and sees that partner in us. We are pleased because regardless of what tension we will go through in the relationship with the USA, we know that thanks to this vast network of agreements, we can obtain the necessary goods, raw materials, and agricultural products important for the EU economy,” he explained.

At the same time, he expressed hope that the EU will soon manage to establish a normal relationship and normal conditions for trade relations between Europe and the United States because “the world’s largest trade relationship deserves it.” (March 13)