Canadian Ambassador to Greece: “If Needed, Canada Will Defend its Companies” Against Trump Tariffs

In 2025, Greece and Canada entered their ninth decade of official diplomatic relations since first exchanging envoys during WW2, in 1942.

The warmth and depth of relations between the two allies, which now span 83 years, became apparent during TO BHMA International Edition’s sit-down interview with Canada’s current Ambassador to Greece, Anna-Karine Asselin, at her residence in Athens.

An experienced diplomat who has served her country in international organizations around the world, Ms. Asselin said these relations were founded in the strongly held principles and values Greece and Canada share, “such as a deep attachment to international law, human rights, and the promotion and protection of democracy and of our democratic institutions.”

Anna-Karine Asselin’s appointment as Canada’s top diplomat in Greece in 2022 coincided with the 80^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “When I arrived in 2022, I had for my main objective to see this relationship grow at the highest levels of engagement,” she said.

Growing EU-Greek Trade With Canada: “We Hope Greece Ratifies CETA”

Apart from deep historical ties predicated on shared democratic values, bilateral trade also has played a significant role in forging an even stronger relationship between the two countries. In 2023, it is estimated that Greece and Canada recorded reciprocal trade worth 585 million US dollars, with both nations hoping it will continue to grow. As Ms. Asselin notes: “Trade continues to grow, especially over the last 8 years, since the application of the Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement in Greece (CETA).”

While the volume of bilateral trade is already significant, collaborations between Canadian and Greek companies are expanding into new areas, such as the aerospace industry. As the Ambassador explains, Greece’s largest airline, AEGEAN, and Canada’s CAE, a global leader in civil aviation training, have joined forces to establish the first advanced flight training center in Greece.

With a capacity for up to seven full-flight simulators, the AEGEAN CAE Flight Training Center will be part of AEGEAN’s new 85,000-square-meter technical base at Athens International Airport.

The joint venture will initially operate four full-flight simulators, including two Airbus A320neo, one Boeing 737NG, and one ATR 72-600, as well as cabin crew training equipment, and will have space for three additional full-flight simulators.

Ms. Asselin expresses hopes that more similar joint ventures may emerge in this area very soon, including projects involving the Hellenic Ministry of Defense.

Both countries assign considerable importance to climate change and the natural disasters it is giving rise to – in 2023, Greece suffered devastating fires claiming 28 lives – and are exploring policies and actions to counter its effects.

“We are also very proud that Greece was the first EU country to acquire [from Canada] the next generation of water-bomber planes, essential in combating forest fires due to climate change,” the Ambassador notes.

As economic and trade borders between nations and larger geographical regions continue to fade with the rapid spread of economic globalization, international agreements and partnerships ensuring the free and secure flow of capital, ideas and technologies have become an indispensable reality. In this context, the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has unlocked new collaborative avenues that benefit companies, workers, and public administration alike.

While Greece has yet to ratify the CETA free trade agreement, the deal’s momentum has still been a boon for the nation, with the 84% rise in Greek agricultural and seafood exports to Canada exceeding even the 68% growth Canada has enjoyed in goods exports to Greece.

“We [Canada] hope that Greece will consider a timely ratification of the CETA Agreement to solidify these exports,” Ms. Asselin says.

U.S.-Canada Relations: “If needed, Canada will defend its companies, workers, and consumers.”

On the unexpected tumult that has rocked U.S.-Canada relations since President Donald Trump took office, Ms. Asselin did not mince her words about the possible repercussions of the U.S. imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian imports.

While acknowledging the very strong relationship between the two countries, she warned that such a policy would “be harmful to U.S. consumers, workers, and their economy. The threat of tariffs has been very disappointing and disruptive to this incredibly successful bilateral trading relationship.” She added, “If needed, Canada will defend its companies, workers, and consumers,” but stressed that continued dialog could allow the two sides to work together to keep the tariffs from coming into effect. She ended by reiterating that active engagement with the new U.S. administration could enable Canada to advance shared economic prosperity, as well as border security.

Ukraine War Peace Talks: “Ukrainian sovereignty must be protected”

On the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and in light of talks between Russia and the U.S. regarding a peace agreement, the Canadian Ambassador made it clear that Ukraine’s long-term interests and security guarantees “must be part of the outcome of negotiations.”

While acknowledging that engaging with Russia was necessary during the peace talks process, she clarified that Ukrainian “sovereignty must be protected, and the Ukrainian people must be able to choose their own democratic future. […] There can be no question that both Ukraine and the EU should be at any negotiation to reach a peace settlement agreement,” Ms. Asselin noted.

Highlighting once again the deep connection between the people of Canada and Greece, and recognizing the contribution of the large Greek diaspora to Canada’s success, Anna-Karine Asselin remarked on two instances of this powerful bond.

Firstly, the Ambassador invited Greeks to visit the “Inukshuk”, a unique three-meter-high statue made from Pentelic Marble in Ilisia Park, central Athens. The statue, which was designed by a Canadian Inuit artist and realized by a Greek marble sculptor, was unveiled in May 2024, “honoring Canada’s indigenous heritage and embodying the fusion of Canadian and Greek cultures.”

This Inukshuk Statue, located at Ilisia Park in Athens, was created by a Canadian Inuit artist and a Greek designer to celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly attend the inauguration of the Inukshuk Statue on May 17, 2024.

Ms. Asselin went on to recall the Greek government’s immediate response in facilitating the timely and safe evacuation of Canadian citizens following the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. “I will always remember and cherish the immediate collaboration we received from Greece as Canada had to evacuate its citizens from Israel after Oct 7th; with this unconditional support, we were able to evacuate more than 1700 citizens via Athens in less than two weeks.”