In a wide-ranging interview with Breitbart News, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis conveyed both a European and a national message, on Wednesday, April 9, emphasizing the potential for a “win-win” resolution on trade tensions with the United States.
“There is a European message and a Greek message. On the European front, there is room to reach a mutually beneficial, win-win solution on trade,” the prime minister told journalist Matthew Boyle. “That has been my firm belief from the very beginning—well before tariffs were announced.”
Mitsotakis pointed out that there is still room for negotiation before any significant retaliatory measures are considered, beyond those already announced by the EU in response to earlier U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. These measures, he noted, were largely expected.
In addressing the broader transatlantic relationship, Mitsotakis stressed the interdependence between the two sides of the Atlantic. The European market, he argued, is vital for the U.S., just as the U.S. is a key partner for Europe. Finding common ground, he suggested, remains imperative.
Turning to Greece’s role within this dynamic, the prime minister framed the country as a vital strategic partner for the United States. “As far as Greece is concerned, we have a strategic partnership with the United States. Looking at the IMEEC [India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor], Greece—the birthplace of democracy—can serve as a bridge between the world’s largest democracy and its most powerful one,” he noted.
Having collaborated with former President Donald Trump in the past, Mitsotakis expressed confidence in his ability to do so again effectively, particularly in addressing regional challenges.
On migration, Mitsotakis defended Greece’s strict but fair policies. As a frontline state, Greece has, since 2020, pursued a border-protection strategy that initially placed it outside the European mainstream.
However, he noted, other EU countries have since followed suit, recognizing the necessity of safeguarding borders. The prime minister made it clear that the decision of who enters Greece should not lie in the hands of traffickers. “I won’t apologize for my tough stance on border security or for my openness when it comes to legal migration,” he emphasized.
Reflecting on Greece’s recovery from the economic crisis, Mitsotakis pointed to targeted reforms, including tax cuts, a reduction in bureaucracy, and a regulatory environment more favorable to investment and job creation. This strategic shift, he said, enabled the country to emerge strongly from one of the most challenging economic periods in its modern history.
