On Monday the 3rd of February, students of the College of Europe in Natolin participated in an EU Youth Dialogue with Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to discuss some of the EU’s most pressing challenges, notably trade policy, economic security, sustainability, and the EU’s role in an evolving global order. Throughout the discussion, the students and the Commissioner agreed that a coherent EU strategy is necessary.
ECONOMIC SECURITY AND TRADE POLICY IN A FRAGMENTED WORLD
One of the messages from Commissioner Šefčovič was the necessity of adapting EU trade policy to a rapidly shifting global economy. The world is experiencing a fragmentation of the open, rules based system that Europe has traditionally championed. The Commissioner echoed President Von der Leyen’s strategy that the EU has three overarching priorities, namely Competitiveness, Sustainability and Security. He also mentioned the importance of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as a key element of the EU’s success. However, the evolving geopolitical landscape requires Europe to rethink its approach. FTAs should be mutually benefcial, particularly in relation to safeguarding European industries from unfair trade practices and maintaining a level playing field. Students also showed considerable interest as to how the EU can act as both a trade power and a normative actor in global governance to protect the EU’s values while at the same time being able to pragmatically influenceglobal trade policy. In this regard, the Commissioner reaffirmed the EUs commitment to promoting human rights, labour standards, and climate objectives through trade agreements. He showcased recent successes, such as integrating the Paris Agreement into trade deals and enforcing labour
rights through International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards. At the same time, he recognised that trade policy alone cannot address all geopolitical concerns. The EU must also ensure its economic security in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in relations with China and the United States. Commissioner Šefčovič emphasised that Europe must act with unity, as this remains the EU’s strongest asset. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to reform the WTO, particularly in relation to dispute settlement mechanisms, to ensure that global trade remains fair and rule-based.
COMPETITIVENESS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
The question of how to reconcile the EU’s ambitious sustainability goals with the need for economic competitiveness was one of the main points of contention during the debate. Students raised several concerns about the alignment between trade agreements and environmental objectives, particularly regarding the MERCOSUR agreement. Commissioner Šefčovič acknowledged the sensitivity of this issue but argued that the agreement includes the most comprehensive sustainability chapter ever negotiated by the EU. Additionally, students were interested in Europe’s strategy to reduce its dependence on external suppliers, especially in key industries such as clean tech and critical raw materials. In this regard, the Commissioner mentioned the Net-Zero Industry Act and argued that more efforts are necessary to enhance the EU’s manufacturing base to reduce the risks of foreign dominance in key sectors.
In light of the students’ interest in industrial strategy and trade relationships with third countries, Commissioner Šefčovič argued that permitting processes and funding mechanisms must be accelerated to enable European businesses to compete effectively. He also highlighted the need for regulatory streamlining. The Commissioner argued that the EU should not hesitate to impose duties where necessary to protect against unfair competition, such as the recent measures against subsidised Chinese battery electric vehicles for instance.
INCLUSIVITY IN PLURILATERAL AGREEMENTS
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the EU’s role in fostering inclusivity in international trade, particularly within plurilateral agreements. Students expressed concerns about the potential exclusion of smaller WTO members and the risk of creating a fragmented trading system. Commissioner Šefčovič responded by affirming the EU’s commitment to inclusivity, emphasising the need to support smaller and less-developed nations through capacity-building initiatives. This, he explained, ensures that all parties can participate meaningfully in trade negotiations. The Commissioner also outlined plans for a more structured approach to plurilateral negotiations to reduce the risk of duplication or conflicting commitments. He reassured students that the EU would prioritise coherence and coordination to ensure that plurilateral agreements strengthen, rather than weaken, the multilateral system.
RECONCILING TRADE POLICY WITH SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
Another key topic was how the EU balances its ambitious sustainability objectives with its trade policies. Students questioned how the EU incorporates circular economy principles into trade agreements while ensuring environmental priorities are not overshadowed by economic benefits. ommissioner Šefčovič acknowledged the importance of aligning trade with sustainability objectives, particularly in agreements like MERCOSUR. He pointed out that such agreements now include robust sustainability chapters to promote environmentally responsible trade practices. He also addressed the EU’s need for critical raw materials (CRMs) from non-EU countries to support the green transition, while noting the importance of ensuring trade policies are in line with the EU’s circular economy ambitions while noting the importance of ensuring trade policies are in line with the EU’s circular economy ambitions. Students underlined the idea of a “Circular (Made in) Europe” model, which emphasises shorter supply chains and localised production. While ambitious, this vision aligns with the EU’s broader strategy of combining economic growth with environmental sustainability.
THE EU AS A TRUSTED TRADE PARTNER
In response to questions about the EU’s global partnerships, Commissioner Šefčovič emphasised the EU’s reputation as a reliable and predictable trade partner. He noted that the EU is the largest investor in the United States, with mutual investments totalling €5 trillion. The EU’s trade relationship with the U.S., he explained, is characterised by its scale and depth, making the two economies interdependent. Looking ahead, the Commissioner discussed ongoing negotiations with MERCOSUR, Mexico, and India, among others. He highlighted that the EU’s appeal as a trade partner lies in its commitment to fairness, predictability, and adherence to the rule of law, which makes it an attractive ally in an increasingly uncertain world.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Youth Dialogue with Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič provided a good platform for students to share their perspectives and gain deeper insights into the EU’s strategies for tackling critical global challenges, although it was noted by students in the wrap-up session that deepening rather than widening the debate might be an option for future debates. The Commissioner’s responses showed that the Commission actively seeks to balance economic, environmental, and social priorities while maintaining the EU’s competitiveness in a fragmented world. Students left the discussion eager to contribute to the development of a resilient and sustainable Europe.
Natalia Nieciąg and Mats Roloff
Students of the College of Europe in Natolin, the Jacques Delors Promotion 2024/2025
The original report can be found here.