Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece is ready to face the new challenges imposed on the global economy while fulfilling its commitments to citizens and maintaining fiscal stability, at the opening of the Government Council for Economic Policy meeting at the Maximos Mansion. The session which took place on Monday, April 7, was aimed at defining Greece’s response to the tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Mitsotakis underscored that fiscal stability is now more crucial than ever, alongside accelerating the reforms already set in motion.
Regarding the tariffs, he stressed the importance of a unified response within the EU to enhance effectiveness. “We were right not to react immediately and impulsively; this requires careful analysis,” Mitsotakis said, while reaffirming Greece’s commitment to defending national interests.
He added, however, that he is keeping expectations low, given the uncertainty of the U.S. response, specifically concerning products like olive oil, olives, and feta cheese—items not produced in the U.S., making the tariffs illogical in his view.
The prime minister also highlighted the significance of the European single market and the growing economic ties with global trade powers like India. He emphasized that the Greek economy must increasingly focus on expanding Greek exports to new markets.
Moreover, he reaffirmed the government’s support for Greek shipping, describing Greece as an open economy that thrives on stable regulations.
On the nation’s economic resilience, the prime minister remarked that despite external crises, the increases in wages and pensions had helped mitigate food inflation. While acknowledging that Greece has not yet reached its goals, he expressed optimism that the conditions are in place to achieve the country’s economic aims.
“The global architecture is shifting, with the U.S. taking significant steps back, marking a possible reversal of globalization and unified trade chains,” Mitsotakis observed. “This is a time fraught with unpredictable risks for every nation. Fiscal stability has gained even more importance as the foundation for the broader fortification of society.”
He further noted that political stability and internal cohesion have become even more critical in a world marked by tensions and upheavals, a situation largely driven by the U.S.’s deliberate decision to change the rules of global trade.
