Today (7.4.25) the extraordinary meeting of the Governmental Council of Economic Policy is scheduled under the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the theme of the war of dictatorialdeclared by US President Donald Trump on April 2.
As he himself, Mr. Mitsotakis said last Friday (4.4.25) this meeting is “to appreciate what our national reaction should be (at Trump duties), how we should be placed in the context of the European Union in the face of this great financial crisis and what we can do and what we can. Our economy. “
In yesterday’s (6.4.25), a message on social media, the prime minister said that a “new, still unmistakable, landscape created by President Trump’s decision to impose duties is being formed on the global economic system. All we are sure is that no one can get out of a generalized trade “war”.
Mr. Mitsotakis noted that “for the European Union, this new situation is a clear divergence from the economic and social purposes on which it was built. Our country, remaining firmly committed to the principles of free trade, will be actively involved in the co -ordination of the single European reaction to the new reality. And we will fight for our economy to come out as unhappy as possible from this new serious turmoil in the world economy. “
Three axes for agricultural exports
Yesterday (5.4.25), Rural Development Ministry Costas Tsiaras said that Greece’s axes against tariffs are as follows:
- «Firstredefinition of EU policy in the primary sector. This option is imperative, as, as he pointed out, the EU is the largest exporter of agricultural products to the US. “
- «Secondto attempt our country to exception from the measure of duties, in unique products, which do not affect the US agricultural production, such as edible olives, feta, etc. “
- «Thirdlyto make decisions by the EU to support agricultural products produced by its Member States, as it is inconceivable to export European products and consumers of the countries of the Union to be forced to buy the same products from third countries at cheaper prices. In this case, the Minister noted, the Minister noted, to examine the financial support of EU products in order to be more accessible to European consumers. “
It is recalled that Trump on April 2, 2025, announced 20% duties to European and so on Greek products, with no exception, while until recently the duties against Greek products were nil or zero.
Newsit.gr information, that the greatest hopes of the Greek side fall on the second axis-that is, to achieve the exemption of unique agricultural products, such as edible olives-as the other two (redefinition of agricultural policy and support of countries-members) fall into procedures within the EU.
If there is no exception to the edible olive tree, which occupies 10% of the value of Greek exports to the US (about € 200 million out of a total of € 2.4 billion), the Greek side hopes at least the rate will fall to 10%, eg as it is in Turkey.
If none of the above does not happen, that is, neither the exception, nor the reduction in the 10% rate (the costs that exporters, importers and consumers could be shared), then Greek exporters – but also importers in the US – will have to turn to the US, as well as the US, Greece and agents of that country, but also much farther, eg India and China.
Otherwise, Greece, like any other EU member country, cannot support Greek exporters through a subsidy (direct or indirect), as it is prohibited by European regulations, unless this is decided at the Community level, at least temporarily, that is, as long as the tariff will last.
But a common attitude of EU members in relation to those of the European South, and above all, could not be easy. And why, for example, the Italian government under Melonia maintains extremely good relations with the Trump government, is a competitor to Greece in oil production, and has greater growth potential through its investments in very cheap (in terms of production costs) countries that have been dynamically in the industry, such as Tunisia.
Circles of olive growers in Crete reported that a large Italian olive oil industry was going to sell to the Italian retail market in the following days olive oil at € 3.9 per liter, when it comes to the price of producer in Greece!
Further, the possibility of 20% off duty exemption or a reduction of the rate to 10% for BC for the Greek olive tree relates to what the EU’s response to US duties will be, that is, whether it will make countermeasures (eg US imports, taxation, taxation, taxation).
If the EU is retaliation and even harsh, it will obviously be more difficult for Greece to have exceptions or duties reduce, and if the EU finds a compromise, it will be easier for Greece to have a milder treatment than the US on the duties front.