One year after the start of Donald Trump’s second term — which began with sweeping interventions across the spectrum of international relations — Athens, after a period of uneasy waiting, has found ways to “unlock” contact with the American president.

His references to Greece during the credential ceremony of the new Greek ambassador to Washington, Antonis Alexandridis, were significant, as they indicate that recent behind-the-scenes moves are not unrelated to the U.S. president’s choices. With a brief intervention, Trump effectively set the new framework for Greek-American relations — one that closely aligns with Athens’ approach and ambition to secure strategic benefits for the country.

In this context, the announcement of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis’ visit — where he will also meet his American counterpart Marco Rubio — appears to be a natural development. This will be their second meeting at the State Department within 12 months. The agenda will include all bilateral issues ahead of the next round of the Strategic Dialogue to be held in Athens, as well as regional developments, with Iran at the top of the list, alongside Gaza and Ukraine.

A business-oriented approach

At a time of extreme global fluidity, and as several of Trump’s choices pose critical dilemmas for the international community and Greece alike, finding common ground with Washington is of paramount importance. Athens’ systematic effort to interpret Trump’s new term led to an approach centered on the strategic objectives of a business-oriented president guided by the slogans “America First” and “Make America Great Again.”

From the outset, it was clear that Trump’s choices were shaped either by ideological affinity with certain European leaderships or by compatibility with U.S. business and strategic interests. Excluding the former, Athens focused on the latter. Energy, military cooperation, contributions to regional stability, and future East–West connectivity networks were dynamically placed on the agenda.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while maintaining alignment with common European positions, has systematically avoided the harsh rhetoric used by other European leaders against Trump’s policies and has adopted a conciliatory tone.

Frigate construction and NATO

“The relationship between the two countries is stronger than ever,” Trump said warmly in the Oval Office, praising Greece’s “leading role in NATO” and stressing that “the Greek government understands that peace is secured through strength.”

He highlighted the importance of the Vertical Corridor and other infrastructure projects for regional energy security, welcomed Greece’s stance at the International Maritime Organization, and emphasized the vast potential for cooperation in shipbuilding — even mentioning the construction of American frigates in Greece.

Approaching Trump is not easy for many governments, as it raises issues of moral and political principles. Athens cannot endorse the U.S. president’s dismissive rhetoric toward international law or the UN’s role, nor his often harsh stance toward migrants. Moreover, Greece is particularly sensitive to avoiding any temptation for Trump to intervene in Greek-Turkish disputes in a way that would fall outside international legal frameworks.

Trump at the Parthenon?

The Strategic Dialogue is expected to convene soon under Gerapetritis and Rubio. Meanwhile, the possibility of a visit by Trump to Greece remains open — a desire he reportedly expressed to Ambassador Alexandridis.

One scenario links Trump’s possible attendance at the NATO Summit in Ankara (July 7–8) with U.S. Independence Day celebrations. There has even been discussion of Trump delivering a speech on democracy with the Parthenon as a backdrop.

Trump also sent a strong signal of support for Kimberly Guilfoyle, calling her one of his most trusted envoys and underscoring how much he values the relationship with Greece. Despite public perceptions, she is directly involved in Greek-American affairs.

Energy cooperation

At the Zappeion on November 6, 2025, during the 6th Transatlantic Energy Cooperation Summit (P-TEC), attended by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, foundations were laid for close cooperation focused on the Vertical Corridor and the entry of Chevron into Greece.

The Vertical Corridor is strategically significant for Europe’s energy security and reducing dependence on Russian energy, while also presenting strong economic interest for the U.S. and Trump personally, given his ties to the American energy lobby and his “Drill, Baby, Drill” doctrine.

A key development was the signing of contracts granting exploration and hydrocarbon extraction rights in four blocks within Greece’s Exclusive Economic Zone to a consortium of Chevron and Helleniq Energy — another major step in bilateral energy cooperation.

NATO – Defense cooperation

By consistently maintaining defense spending at 2% of GDP and approving an increase to 5%, Greece avoided becoming a target of Trump’s criticism of NATO allies. Supporting European strategic autonomy, Athens has backed European defense initiatives — an increasingly important stance amid Trump’s threats to reduce U.S. defense funding for Europe.

The Souda base, military facilities granted to U.S. forces, the F-35 order, and expanding defense-industry cooperation — recently discussed in Washington between Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — further reinforce the strategic dimension of the bilateral relationship.

Trump also highlighted prospects for building American frigates in Greece. Notably, ONEX Shipyards and Technologies, which controls the Elefsis and Syros shipyards, has received financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). An agreement is also expected between ONEX and Hanwha Power Systems, part of broader U.S. efforts to revitalize domestic shipbuilding and counter China’s dominance in the sector.

Peace Council – Gaza

Greece supported Trump’s plan for Gaza, formalized through UN Security Council Resolution 2803. The plan establishes a Peace Council to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and a roughly 8,000-strong International Stabilization Force (ISF).

Athens chose to participate as an observer at the Peace Council’s first formal meeting in Washington, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theoharis.

Greece aims to consolidate its role in the Eastern Mediterranean, leveraging close ties with Israel, strong relations with key Arab states, and trust with the Palestinians. Rejecting a second invitation from Trump within weeks would not have been constructive.

Greek involvement in Gaza will be both institutional and operational. Although operational details of the ISF remain pending, Greece has expressed readiness to deploy 100–150 personnel, including medical and engineering units and a special forces detachment tasked with security.