Greece has become a pivotal arena where Washington and Beijing vie for economic leverage, each deploying distinct strategies to secure influence over the country’s vital sectors. The United States is strengthening military ties and supporting infrastructure projects linked to NATO interests, while China focuses on expanding its Belt and Road Initiative footprint through major investments in ports, energy, and telecommunications. These dual ambitions have triggered a nuanced balancing act for Greece, navigating alignment with Western alliances while capitalizing on Chinese capital inflows.

Key areas of competition include:

  • Port development – notably the Port of Piraeus, operated by China’s COSCO Shipping.
  • Energy infrastructure – with U.S.-backed renewable projects competing against Chinese investments in natural gas and…