Maroš Šefčovič, a veteran European Commission official and current executive vice-president of the European Green Deal, has been appointed as the next European Union commissioner for trade and economic security.

The appointment, made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, marks a significant step in shaping the team that will lead the bloc during her second term. Šefčovič, who has spent 15 years holding various roles within the Commission, will also be responsible for interinstitutional relations, transparency and customs policy.

Šefčovič’s appointment follows intensive weeks of negotiations with EU member states. His experience ranges from education to space policy, and he has been involved in key negotiations with the United States on trade and climate. As Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Šefčovič will be tasked with steering EU trade policy at a critical time, with global challenges such as the transition to a green economy and rising international trade tensions.

In parallel, the current Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, will take on a new role as Commissioner for Economics and Productivity and Commissioner for Implementation and Simplification, where he will oversee key aspects of the European economy. This reshuffle reinforces Ursula von der Leyen’s vision of a team capable of tackling the economic and climate challenges of the next decade.

Another important change in the EU leadership team is the appointment of Teresa Ribera, vice-president of the Spanish government and minister for ecological transition, as executive vice-president for a clean, fair and competitive transition. Ribera will be responsible for guiding the EU’s climate transition and overseeing antitrust policy, at a time when the Union is striving to meet its ambitious emissions reduction targets.

On the other hand, Margrethe Vestager and Thierry Breton, current executive vice-presidents and key figures in relations with Washington, will not be part of the new team. Vestager and Dombrovskis had co-chaired the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, a crucial body for transatlantic relations on digital issues, where Breton also played a prominent role.

This new team, which reflects a balance between continuity and change, is expected to take up its duties by the end of the year, preparing the EU to meet the challenges of an increasingly interconnected and competitive world.

Source: EU green deal chief tapped to be bloc's next trade minister | InsideTrade.com