The former Finance Minister of the Karamanlis governments, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, referred to his acquaintance with Donald Trump in 2007. Speaking to ERT, Mr. Alogoskoufis even revealed that “I met him, he wanted to make a casino in Elliniko”.

“He tried to meet me then because theoretically he wanted to invest in Greece. Of course, everything was a bit up in the air. He wanted to make a casino in Elliniko, but he was relatively unprepared,” he said.

To the question of whether he is a “Dummy” for the global economy, Donald Trump replied that “what he says and what he did as President last time are far from traditional, they are a bit radical. It’s a bit American First, which manifests itself with what he has said about tariffs in China and Europe and how he will start a trade war in essence. And the other issue that also concerns Europe is that Europe has been defensively complacent for many decades. Trump has said very clearly that he wants Europe to pay more. But if Europe starts paying more for its Defense, the money will have to be found somewhere else”.

On tariffs: “Disastrous – We experienced it in the interwar 1930s”

The former Minister estimated that if the USA imposes tariffs (something Donald Trump had done in his previous term), the Europeans will impose theirs and the Chinese will impose theirs. “This can be, under certain conditions, disastrous for the Global Economy. In the interwar years, the 1930s was the last time we experienced an economic war. The hope is that there will be a negotiation, based on threats of tariffs, for America to win some things from China.”

Mr. Alogoskoufis, however, emphasized that the International Trade Organization prohibits a country from imposing tariffs without reason.

Referring to the new “bell” Draghi noted that it is aimed at Europeans, as if things go badly in Europe-US relations, restrictions will also begin on free trade in Europe. “If restrictions are placed on free trade in Europe, the basis of United Europe is undermined,” he added.

For statements G. Stournara: “Let’s not exaggerate”

Called to comment on the latest statements of the governor of the Bank of Greece, Giannis Stournaras on the mononews website and to Marion Michelidakis, that “Greece, without a dose of exaggeration, is an oasis of stability in the economy”, he commented:

“Greece has been doing a little better than the rest of Europe in recent years, that’s true. But let’s not exaggerate. We need to be aware of the many reforms needed to get the economy going. We are not an oasis in Europe either. Greece lost 20% of its GDP in Europe. He has a long way to go,” he noted.