We met a few days ago in Zurich, as part of the Global Economic Roundtable organized by Eirini Vantaraki, a roundtable for the exchange of views on the defining economic issues of our time. Simple, smiling, and relaxed, 48-year-old Donald Trump Jr. is not merely the eldest son of the 47th President of the United States.

As Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, Donald Trump Jr. works to expand the company’s activities in real estate, commercial operations, hotels, and golf.

He states that he is confident Greece has a significant future ahead.

“I see a country with enormous potential. It is in a strategic location and has incredible advantages in tourism, shipping, energy, and real estate. The resilience of the Greek people over the years has been truly impressive,” he emphasizes, adding: “The relationship between the United States and Greece has always been very strong. There are substantial—long-standing cultural and economic ties.”

Regarding possible investments by the Trump Organization in Europe or Greece, he says there is nothing currently in the pipeline, adding that “Europe is always an important market and Greece is certainly attracting increasing international interest these days.

Any serious investment depends on long-term stability, opportunities, and development potential, but Greece has some very attractive sectors, especially tourism, hospitality, luxury real estate, and infrastructure,” he concludes.

He speaks warmly about his father—“he taught us that understanding people is everything,” he notes—as well as about his late mother Ivana: “She was incredibly strong and expected a lot from us growing up, which honestly ended up being one of the greatest gifts she could have given us,” he says.

A career full of success

Based in Jupiter, Florida, Donald Jr. initially worked on Trump Place, the historic redevelopment of the West Side Yards in New York, one of the most ambitious and successful large-scale development projects in Manhattan. The project spanned multiple city blocks, included 17 buildings, and created a new community. Around the year 2000, he began overseeing the construction, financing, and development of the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, a 2.6-million-square-foot property along the river and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world.

The numbers are staggering: the 92-story building includes 486 luxury residences, 339 hotel units, and four levels of commercial space that won multiple awards. He also participated in the development of the “Trump International Hotel Las Vegas,” a 64-story tower combining hotel and residential units.

The eldest son of the president led efforts to further expand the Trump brand globally, introducing four properties: Trump Towers Pune, Trump Tower Mumbai, Trump Tower Kolkata, and Trump Towers Delhi, setting new standards of design and luxury living in India. Donald Trump Jr. is also responsible for all commercial leasing of the group, which includes iconic properties such as Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue and 40 Wall Street in the heart of Manhattan.

In addition to his real estate interests, he is a sought-after speaker at international forums and has also served as an advisor on NBC’s highly popular shows “The Apprentice” and “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Based in Florida, he enjoys nature, is by his father’s side, and is a devoted father to his five children.

MARIA LEMONIA: How do you actually feel as a member of the powerful Trump business family?

DONALD TRUMP JR.: Growing up in the Trump family, there was always the expectation that we would work hard, compete, and perform at a high level. People see the name and think of privilege, but what they do not always see is the pressure and work ethic behind it. From a young age my parents taught us that while fame matters, results matter more, and respect is not given—it is earned. So nothing was simply handed to us because of our surname.

M.L.: What did your father teach you about business?

D.T.JR.: He taught me that business is about vision, execution, and persistence. He always believed in vision, in taking risks, and never being afraid of competition. He also taught me that understanding people is everything. Negotiation and instinct matter, and when things get tough, you keep fighting and find a way to win.

M.L.: I’m curious: what life lesson did you learn from your father and what from your mother?

D.T.JR.: From my father I learned persistence, resilience, and the mindset that failures are temporary unless you quit. From my mother I learned discipline, independence, and confidence. She was incredibly strong and expected a lot from us growing up, which honestly ended up being one of the greatest gifts she could have given us.

M.L.: Tell us about Ivana Trump.

D.T.JR.: My mother was an incredible woman. Intelligent, elegant, strong, and extremely disciplined. Long before the public knew her, she was a world-class athlete, incredibly hardworking. She pushed us to be independent from a young age and raised us with the mindset that nothing is guaranteed. What we are today is entirely thanks to her.

Ivana Trump

M.L.: Describe a happy scene from your childhood.

D.T.JR.: Some of my best memories were traveling to Eastern Europe in the summers to visit my maternal grandparents. My grandfather was the one who first introduced me to things like hunting, fishing, and a love for nature. Experiences, values, memories, images, and feelings that will stay with me for my entire life.

M.L.: You are considered a real estate guru. How do you see the global market evolving today?

D.T.JR.: The data is changing quickly. Prime locations will always matter, but today investors also look at stability, infrastructure, tourism growth, energy, and whether governments are truly business-friendly. In my view, luxury projects will continue to perform well, especially in places that attract international investment and have long-term planning.

M.L.: What do you know about Greece?

D.T.JR.: Greece has one of the greatest histories and cultural heritages in the world. Beyond that, I see a country with enormous potential. It is in a strategic location and has incredible advantages in tourism, shipping, energy, and real estate. The resilience of the Greek people over the years has been truly impressive.

M.L.: How do you see global socio-political conditions evolving?

D.T.JR.: I think we are seeing the end of globalization as it shaped the 1990s and the rise of locally driven economies. Countries that focus on strong economies, secure borders, innovation, and energy independence will be in a stronger position in the future.

M.L.: What should businesspeople focus on today?

D.T.JR.: Attention must be paid to technology and how quickly it is changing. The world is changing fast, so adaptability is critical. Companies that remain flexible, understand global trends, and maintain strong local relationships will have a major advantage.

M.L.: What do you predict for the global economy, and what role will America play?

D.T.JR.: The global economy will continue to experience periods of instability, but innovation and entrepreneurship remain extremely powerful forces. America will continue to play a central and essential role due to its economy, capital markets, military strength, and business culture. But to maintain that leadership, we must remain competitive, invest in infrastructure and energy, and support policies that encourage growth and production.

M.L.: Tell us about U.S.–Greece relations.

D.T.JR.: The relationship between the United States and Greece has always been very strong. There are substantial long-standing cultural and economic ties. The Greek-American community has played an important role in strengthening this relationship over the years.

M.L.: Are you considering investments in Europe or Greece?

D.T.JR.: I do not have anything in the pipeline at the moment. Europe is always an important market, and Greece is certainly attracting increasing international interest these days. Any serious investment depends on long-term stability, opportunities, and growth potential, but Greece has some very attractive sectors, especially tourism, hospitality, luxury real estate, and infrastructure.

M.L.: Do you think Greece will play an important role in the future?

D.T.JR.: Absolutely. Greece is strategically, geographically, economically, and culturally important. Its role in shipping, tourism, energy, and regional stability makes it a country of major significance.

M.L.: What is your daily life like?

D.T.JR.: My life alternates between business, travel, media, politics, and family, and honestly no two days are ever the same—but I like it that way. I would be bored if I did only one thing, so I prefer to stay constantly busy. At the end of the day, however, family comes first, and I focus on spending as much time as possible with my children. Beyond that, hunting, fishing, and the outdoors keep me grounded and in a good mental state.

M.L.: And your plans for the future?

D.T.JR.: Regarding business, I just want to continue building meaningful companies. I genuinely enjoy the work I do and I don’t intend to slow down anytime soon. Regarding politics, I simply want to continue participating in building the “America First” movement. I think the way my father has shaped politics is important for the future of our nation. I am extremely focused on ensuring that the movement he started does not stop even when he leaves office, and that it continues to have strength in the future.

M.L.: What message would you like to send to Greeks?

D.T.JR.: To the people of Greece I would say the following: your history, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are respected worldwide. Greece has overcome enormous challenges and continues to represent culture, strength, and perseverance. I think the future holds tremendous opportunities for the country and its people.

M.L.: Let’s conclude our conversation with this question: what is your life motto?

D.T.JR.: Never back down. Always fight tooth and nail until success is achieved.