Greece is positioning itself as one of Donald Trump’s closest European partners, seeking to turn warmer relations with Washington into strategic, diplomatic and economic gains.
The push comes as several European governments take a more cautious approach to the US president. In Athens, however, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has embraced the prospect of a Trump visit and has framed Greece as a natural partner for the United States, citing the influence of Greek thought on America’s founding principles.
US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has confirmed that Trump is expected to visit Greece, though she has not announced when. She has also publicly supported the idea of Trump marking the 250th anniversary of American independence with a speech at the Acropolis.
Trump has responded positively to the overtures, describing Greece as “terrific” and Mitsotakis as a “terrific guy”. His tone towards Athens contrasts with his increasingly difficult relations with other European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
For the Greek government, a closer relationship with Trump is not only about political optics. Athens views the United States as a key security partner, particularly because of the US military presence in Greece and the naval base on Crete. It also wants to ensure that Washington’s relationship with Turkey does not develop at Greece’s expense.
Security and energy ties
Greece has long sought to present itself as a reliable US ally in the Eastern Mediterranean. Since Mitsotakis came to power in 2019, American access to Greek military facilities has expanded, while major US companies have strengthened their presence in the country.
The relationship is also being reinforced through energy and infrastructure deals.
Shortly after Guilfoyle arrived in Athens late last year, Greece signed an agreement with ExxonMobil to begin offshore drilling, the country’s first such project in more than four decades. Senior US officials were present for the deal, underlining Washington’s interest in Greece’s energy role.
Athens has also become part of the US push to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. Greece and Ukraine reached an agreement for the import of US liquefied natural gas to help cover Ukrainian energy needs, making Greece the first EU country to join Washington’s effort to replace Russian gas with American LNG.
Guilfoyle has also taken aim at Chinese influence in Greece. In her first interview after arriving in the country, she criticised China’s ownership of the Port of Piraeus, calling it “unfortunate” and suggesting the issue could be revisited.
The Greek government has since moved ahead with plans for a US-backed port project in Elefsina, near Athens. Opposition parties have questioned the transparency and political motives behind the project, while analysts have raised doubts over whether another large port so close to Piraeus is financially and environmentally viable.
Guilfoyle’s influence
Guilfoyle has quickly become a highly visible figure in Athens, attracting extensive media coverage and appearing at high-profile events. A former Fox News host and prosecutor, and a prominent figure in Trump’s political circle, she has made clear that her priority is to promote American interests in Greece and the wider region.
She has also spoken openly about her access to senior Greek officials, saying she is in frequent contact with Mitsotakis and several ministers. According to Guilfoyle, Greek officials are highly responsive to US requests and eager to demonstrate their support for Washington. Her public comments have fuelled criticism from the opposition, which accuses the government of excessive deference to the Trump administration.
MAGA figures turn to Greece
Greece has also become a regular stop for figures aligned with Trump’s political movement. The annual Delphi Economic Forum, one of Greece’s most prominent business and political gatherings, has attracted several Trump-linked officials, advisers and commentators. Attendees in late April included US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder, Heritage Foundation figure James Carafano, Project 2025 architect Paul Dans, former Trump pandemic adviser Scott Atlas and Christos Marafatsos, head of the “Greeks for Trump” lobby group.
Their message was clear: Greece is being viewed in Trump-aligned circles as a useful partner in a wider geopolitical contest with China. Dans told Politico that countries would increasingly have to choose between Washington and Beijing. Breitbart journalist Matthew Boyle also described Greece as one of the United States’ strongest allies during Trump’s second term.
New Democracy shifts tone
The growing closeness between Athens and Washington has coincided with a sharper rightward tone inside Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party. Government officials have increasingly emphasised themes that appeal to Trump’s political base, including migration, Christianity, Greek civilisation and European identity.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis has repeatedly praised Trump’s policies, while Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has said US voters backed Trump because of concerns over the economy, illegal immigration and the “woke” agenda. New Democracy MP Makis Voridis went further, declaring that “everything right-wing is good”. The shift follows concern within Greece’s conservative camp that Mitsotakis had been seen as too close to former US Vice President Kamala Harris. In 2022, he became the first Greek prime minister to address a joint session of the US Congress and was warmly received by Harris, a moment that later became politically awkward after Trump returned to power.
Far-right parties in Greece have used that perceived closeness to Harris to attack Mitsotakis, accusing him of following liberal policies and warning that he could struggle to influence Trump, particularly on Turkey.
Opposition accuses government of submission
Mitsotakis has also aligned himself with Trump on some foreign policy issues. After the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Greek prime minister said the end of his regime offered new hope for Venezuela, while adding that it was not the time to comment on the legality of the operation. Greek opposition parties accused the government of showing “servile obedience” to Trump.
The criticism has not stopped Athens from deepening the relationship. For Mitsotakis, closer ties with Trump could strengthen Greece’s position in Washington, support its security priorities and bring further US investment. A Trump visit to Greece would give that strategy a powerful symbolic boost. In a recent interview with Breitbart, Mitsotakis said Greeks take pride in their hospitality and promised that the US president would feel welcome.
Source: Politico
