How Trump’s tariffs will impact Greece

·

US President Trump has implemented worldwide tariffs – higher taxes on imports and exports – leaving the world concerned for the possibility of a trade war.

Trump’s tariffs will target a range of goods, including Scotch whiskey, Italian cheeses, French wines and Greek peaches.

Greece is the world’s biggest exporter of tinned peaches, with 20% of their annual production being sent to the United States.

The import levy was historically 18%, but after the EU subsidised the manufacturing of ‘Airbus’ airplanes (the competitor of US’ Boeing), Trump responded by increasing the US import tax to 43%.

“Trump would do well to behave himself and let us get to work so we can have a livelihood,” said peach farmer Tasos Halkidis. “We don’t want this tariff business,” he told Reuters.

Kostas Apostolou, head of the Greek Canners Association, said the dispute is threatening their livelihood and will potentially shut them out of their biggest market.

“Why are they punishing us?” Apostolou told Reuters.

The increase in tariffs came into effect on October 18, just as Greece prepared to ship 50 million tins to the United States.

The US is dependent on Greece’s tinned peaces in their supermarkets, hospitals, schools, and military. Many of these companies have stated they are not prepared to pay for any tariff increases, which would result in order cancellations of peaches from Greece.

“Suddenly there was this (trade) war … We could never imagine that this could affect our jobs here in this small area,” Apostolou said.

Greece have tailored their tinned products to suit their US’ packaging requirements, which means they cannot be sold in Europe, Asia or Latin America.

Industry experts predict the impact of Trump’s tariffs on Greece will be roughly $50 million.

These tariffs will directly impact Greece’s farmers, who harvest millions of peaches on 50,000 acres, housing 10,000 small farms and supporting around 10,000 workers.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

How Maih Porfyri’s career pivot took her from fashion to the Paralympics

Maih Porfyri had only been in her job for a few months before she was whisked away on a trip to Paris to cover the Paralympic Games.

My partner doesn’t speak Greek – Can we still raise bilingual kids?

You can absolutely raise bilingual children, even if only one parent speaks Greek. Across the world, countless families do so successfully.

Joint bank accounts: Who gets the money?

All people named in a joint account are privy to the money by Law. Most of us have opened accounts at various bank branches.

Vergina considered among the world’s most mysterious destinations

Featured alongside global wonders, Vergina earns its place through a mystery that has eluded scholars for centuries.

Gender in Modern Greek: Dr Angeliki Alvanoudi to give online seminar

The aim of the seminar is to examine the role of Greek gendered terms in sustaining social gender ideologies that reinforce sexism.

You May Also Like

‘March 25th is about the uprising of the people’: GOCNSW marks Greek Independence Day 

GOCNSW commemorated the 201st anniversary from the beginning of the Greek War of Revolution at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba.

How council collaborations in Australia keep OXI Day and the Anzac legacy alive

Theodora Gianniotis write about how council collaborations in Australia keep OXI Day and the Anzac legacy alive

Chief Justice Kourakis endorses SA policy targeting improper workplace behaviour

South Australian judges and magistrates including CJ Kourakis have adopted a new policy targeting inappropriate workplace conduct