Sefcovic: “Agreement on tariffs does not conflict with sustainability goals”

Brussels – The tariff agreement reached between the European Union and the United States does not defeat the EU’s commitment to sustainability and the green economy. This was assured by Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, responding to a parliamentary question that accused the EU executive of acting in contradiction to the green transition. Specifically criticised is the commitment to purchase energy from the USA in massive quantities, focusing on the most climate-altering fossil fuels. 

“The parameters agreed upon on 27 July 2025 do not conflict with the EU’s energy transition and decarbonisation plans,” Sefcovic argues, referring to commitments for $750 billion in gas, nuclear fuel, and even oil purchases. It is not in conflict with the Green Deal and its objectives, he reminds, and the transition to a sustainable economic-productive model will not be immediate. “The EU economy will continue to need gas, oil, and nuclear fuels on the path to climate neutrality by 2050.” 

Moreover, continues the Trade Commissioner, “although the agreement foresees an increase in energy imports from the US over the next three years, it will be implemented in the context of REPowerEU to help the EU phase out the remaining energy imports from Russia”.