Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is betting big on a transatlantic reset, urging Europe to hammer out a “win-win” trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump within the next three months. Speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum, Mitsotakis struck a hopeful note, calling the current window of opportunity a crucial moment for both sides to find common ground.
Despite Trump’s temporary freeze on slapping 20% tariffs on EU goods, the existing 10% duties are still biting—and Mitsotakis didn’t shy away from saying so. “We’ve got 90 days to have an honest, pragmatic conversation,” he emphasized, adding that the U.S. and Europe must soften their stances to avoid a full-blown trade standoff. He even floated the idea of a tariff-free deal altogether, warning that failure to reach an accord would leave “only losers” on both sides of the Atlantic.
For Greece, the stakes are high. U.S. tariffs on key exports like olive oil and feta cheese don’t just sting—they disrupt a €2.4 billion export relationship, making the U.S. Greece’s fifth-largest trade partner in 2024. The shipping sector, a cornerstone of the Greek economy, is also feeling the squeeze. Mitsotakis framed it as a global concern, underscoring that “shipping is a lifeline of global trade” and should be shielded by international rules, not weighed down by restrictions.
Looking ahead, the prime minister hinted at exploring new markets—India being one possibility—for Greek goods, though he carefully avoided mentioning China, a major investor in Greece’s strategic Piraeus Port.
Meanwhile, back home, Mitsotakis is steering through political headwinds. His government has faced mounting public anger over skyrocketing prices and a tragic train crash that killed 57 people—an incident that’s left a deep scar and dented his credibility. Though his New Democracy party still leads in the polls at 27.3%, a recent Mega TV survey shows 68% of Greeks now view him unfavorably.
Still, Trump has thrown him a lifeline of sorts, applauding Mitsotakis’ trade diplomacy and even calling him a “good man.” U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle echoed the praise with a tweet backing the prime minister’s comments.
Yet, with populist forces like the Greek Solution and the Voice of Reason snapping at his heels—and an increasingly fragmented opposition—it’s unclear whether Mitsotakis can regain lost ground before the next election cycle. One thing’s for sure: forging a transatlantic deal might just give him the political boost he needs.
