The Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) assessing the effects of the trade war triggered by the U.S. President’s remarks on imposing tariffs on EU countries, urges the Greek Prime Minister to protect the neutrality of the Piraeus commercial port amid the ongoing “tariff war.”
The Chamber points out that these concerns are escalating throughout all 27 EU nations, as they witness their largest trading partner, the U.S., distancing itself. A trade war would destabilize the global economic system, creating widespread consequences in international trade, supply chains, deep-sea shipping, and European and Greek refineries.
The Board members of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, after an initial evaluation of the impacts on the country’s import, export, and transit trade, are stressing the necessity for the government to act in order to safeguard the import-export activities at Piraeus, the nation’s largest port.
The business and industrial sectors of Piraeus are raising alarms, as the matter of container ship transits through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal remains unresolved. Sector experts explain that a resolution would reduce transit shipping costs, potentially helping to absorb part of the tariffs and prevent these costs from being transferred to the final consumers. Given this, the announcement of further tariffs on both sides is escalating the trade war.
Commercial sectors in Piraeus emphasize that the Greek government must ensure Piraeus port does not become just another “backdoor” for Chinese exports to Europe and the U.S. It is puzzling why the Minister of Shipping has yet to approve the creation of the port platform—an initiative that has been pending for over a year, which would be solely overseen and regulated by Greek authorities.
Additionally, the Piraeus Chamber hopes that the Greek government will advocate for maritime transport and oppose any increases in port service fees. It is also significant to mention that over 60% of the European fleet is Greek-owned, and these vessels carry 85% of the total goods imported into the EU.
