The president of the Panhellenic Exporters Association said he had “mixed emotions” following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs but acknowledged that exporters now have a clearer view of the trade landscape.
Speaking on national broadcaster ERT, Alkiviadis Kalabokis noted that the sweeping tariffs—25% on the auto industry and 20% on EU imports—did not include any exemptions, dashing Greek exporters’ hopes for relief.
The United States is Greece’s fifth-largest export market, accounting for €2.4 billion in 2024, with Greece maintaining a trade surplus of €260 million, he said.
Greek agri-food products make up 30% of exports to the U.S., with wine, olives, and peaches establishing a strong market presence. However, Greek exporters have struggled to penetrate major retail chains, relying instead on demand from the Greek-American community.
Kalabokis said Greek yogurt is performing well in the U.S. market, while Santorini wines—though expensive—serve as a strong promotional tool for Greek products.
While the tariffs are expected to push up prices, he suggested that Greek exporters may absorb some of the cost by reducing profit margins to remain competitive. A favorable euro-dollar exchange rate could also help mitigate the impact.
Kalabokis called for increased government support to strengthen Greece’s global brand and help exporters expand beyond domestic markets.