"From Brexit negotiator to trade dealmaker: Can Maroš Šefčovič succeed with Trump?"

Šefčovič Prepares for High-Stakes Talks as Trump Tariff Deadline Looms

In May 2019, Maroš Šefčovič accompanied Donald Trump and his delegation to a liquefied natural gas terminal in Hackberry, Louisiana. The then-European Commission vice-president responsible for energy had joined Trump aboard Air Force One and took the opportunity to call his wife during the flight—a rare privilege for a first-time passenger on the presidential plane. At the facility, Trump delivered one of his characteristic freewheeling speeches, singling out Šefčovič from the stage and addressing him as if hosting a game show: “Maroš, thank you very much. Thank you.”

Those familiar with the event recall, “Of course, when Trump tried to pronounce his name, it was a bit of a disaster.” But for a high-ranking official from a multilateral institution, this reception was about as warm as it gets with the U.S. president.

Now, more than six years later, Šefčovič faces the challenge of negotiating a trade agreement with a potential second Trump administration. Pressure is mounting. Trump, who has accused the EU of being created to “take advantage of the U.S.,” has warned of imposing 50% tariffs on European imports if no deal is reached by July 9. Meanwhile, Šefčovič is shuttling across the globe in an effort to secure trade agreements with several nations—including India, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand—while also balancing Europe's intricate ties with China. During one hectic week in May, he spent just two nights in a proper bed, relying on in-flight rest during a whirlwind trip covering France, Germany, Singapore, Japan, and Kenya.

As the EU’s longest-serving commissioner, the Slovak diplomat has built a reputation as a dependable negotiator since joining the Berlaymont headquarters in 2009. “He always stays level-headed, always looking for solutions,” a senior EU official told *CuriosityNews*. “He never takes an extreme stance—like calling for a trade war.”

Often seen wearing a tie and matching pocket square, usually with a smile and a quick joke, Šefčovič is regarded as a diligent problem solver who avoids overshadowing his superior, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. While few mispronounce his name as spectacularly as Trump, many in Brussels still struggle with the Slovak “č” (pronounced “ch”). Well-liked by his team, he keeps a low media profile, seldom giving interviews. “He’s the type who doesn’t make enemies. That’s why when there’s a difficult task, people turn to him,” said Jean De Ruyt, a seasoned Belgian diplomat who worked with Šefčovič in the mid-2000s.

His diplomatic skills were put to the test in February 2020 when he was assigned to oversee the Brexit withdrawal agreement for the EU. Tensions were high as the UK finalized its bitter separation, leaving relations between Brussels and Boris Johnson’s government strained and fraught with suspicion.

Despite the frosty climate, Šefčovič managed to establish a working rapport with his British counterpart, Michael Gove. Their collaboration culminated in a handwritten agreement to resolve disputes over the Northern Irish border, including the contentious issue of chilled meat shipments.