Delphi, Greece – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hopes Europe will try to negotiate a “win-win” free trade deal with US President Donald Trump over the next three months.
Speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum on Thursday, the Greek leader said there is still a window of opportunity to negotiate some kind of accord that could “be mutually beneficial”.
While Trump’s decision to postpone the 20% tariffs on EU products, the PM said the current 10% remains an issue.
“I do believe that we need to use this 90-day window of opportunity to have a very honest discussion about the trade regime between the US and Europe”, Mitsotakis said, adding that both sides need to step back from their opening positions.
Earlier during the day, Mitsotakis also said that the negotiations may result in “a framework of zero tariffs” to and from the United States.
“There will only be losers, if we don’t manage to resolve this”, Mitsotakis said.
Tariffs on olive oil don’t make sense
Greece’s exports to the US are mainly made up of agricultural products, such as feta cheese and olive oil.
In 2024, the US was the fifth most important destination for Greek exports with a total of €2.411 billion in deliveries.
While food exports are one point of contentions, Greece’s hulking shipping industry is also heavily affected.
“Shipping is a lifeline of global trade […] So, we have every interest in protecting a rules-based international order that fosters rather than restricts trade”.
Mitsotakis has suggested that Greek producers should eye alternative markets for their products, such as India, while he avoided citing China, which has heavily invested in Piraeus port – the third biggest in the EU.
A coalition government only in numbers
Mitsotakis’ right-wing turn could be attributed to the rise of the populist parties on the right, such as the Greek Solution and the Voice of Reason.
However, his single-party government has been in crisis mode over the last three months due to rising prices of consumer goods and a train accident that killed 57 people.
Earlier during the day, Trump praised Mitsotakis’ call for a “win-win” trade solution and described him as a “good man”. The Greek leader’s comments were even tweeted by the new US Ambassador to Athens, Kimberly Guilfoyle.
A poll published tonight by Mega TV suggests Mitsotakis’ popularity has been dealt a severe blow which 68% of respondents evaluating him negatively.
According to the same poll, his centre-right New Democracy party ranks first with 27.3%, followed by the leftist Course of Freedom party with 15%, socialist Pasok (12.5%) and right-wing Greek Solution (10.4%).
However, the fragmented opposition gives Mitsotakis hope. Analysts suggest that a potential coalition following the 2027 national elections will be difficult to build.
(jp)
