EU Commissioner Šefčovič Delays Vietnam Visit Citing Global Tensions

Hanoi (Eurotoday) – European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has postponed his planned visit to Vietnam this week due to “the most recent international developments,” according to a statement from the European Union delegation in Hanoi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and European Union leaders are expected to visit Vietnam in the coming weeks, part of a wave of diplomatic engagement amid rising concerns over U.S. trade tariffs, according to officials.

Sefcovic, who also holds the role of European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, had been scheduled to arrive in Vietnam on Thursday and take part in a press event hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

Will trade tensions derail EU-Vietnam relations?

“Considering the latest international developments, the commissioner will come at a later stage, probably July,”

In comments shared with Reuters, the EU delegation in Hanoi referenced the sweeping global tariffs announced by the United States last week, which are slated to take effect on Wednesday. The delegation emphasized that the European Union remains committed to strengthening trade relations with Vietnam.

The EU and Vietnam finalized a free trade agreement in 2019, marking a key milestone in bilateral relations. A senior EU official told Reuters that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen may visit Vietnam in May to “formally enhance relations.” The same official noted that French President Emmanuel Macron could follow with a visit later in the month, in response to Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam’s trip to Paris last October.

Will Spain’s strategic upgrade spark deeper EU ties?

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi as part of a two-nation tour of East Asia, which will wrap up in Beijing on Friday.

During the visit, the leaders of Spain and Vietnam signed a joint declaration to upgrade their bilateral ties to the highest possible level—a comprehensive strategic partnership. The move signals deepening cooperation in areas including trade, investment, and diplomacy.

Sanchez affirmed Spain’s support for a rules-based international order and highlighted the importance of economic openness and free trade.

“Trade wars benefit no one, but harm everyone,”

he said.

“In a global context as complex as the one we are in, the Spanish government is firmly committed to the opening up of our country and Europe to Southeast Asia,”

he added.