At a time when US–Greece relations are at an all-time high, AmCham Greece has taken a bold and timely step by establishing a formal presence in Washington DC.
In this exclusive interview with Alexandra Loli, Business Partners Publisher and Editor in Chief, Katerina Sokou, Executive Director of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in the United States, shares her vision for the new US office, the strategic relevance of this initiative, and how she plans to turn this timely expansion into a lasting platform for advocacy, partnership, and growth.
The launch of AmCham Greece’s new branch office in Washington DC marks a new chapter for the Chamber, reflecting its commitment to further strengthening bilateral economic and business ties, deepening policy engagement, and expanding opportunities for Greek and US companies alike.
At the helm of this new initiative is Katerina Sokou, an international affairs specialist with more than 20 years of experience in journalism and strategic communication and considerable expertise in US politics and economics, transatlantic relations, Greece, and the European Union.
Prior to taking on the role of Executive Director of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in the United States, Sokou was the Washington DC correspondent for Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini, where she is also a columnist, focusing on transatlantic relations, foreign policy and financial diplomacy. Previous positions include work for leading Greek and US publications such as To Vima and The Washington Post, while she has also served as Washington DC correspondent for Skai TV.
We plan to showcase the most dynamic sectors and opportunities for strategic synergies that support our aligned economic and security interests
Sokou is a non-resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and a research fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Diplomacy (ELIAMEP), while in the past she has also served as communications consultant to Olympic Airways, been a contributor and member of the Editorial board at European Affairs, the online magazine of The European Institute, and founded the news analysis and communications consulting firm News Intelligence. She received a BA in History with First Class Honors from the University of Ioannina in Greece and holds an MA in International Studies from the University of Warwick and an MA in Journalism from Columbia University, where she was a Knight-Bagehot Fellow in Economics and Business Journalism (2012-2013).
A seasoned journalist, transatlantic affairs analyst, and longtime observer of US–Greece dynamics, Sokou builds on her strong background in policy and communication and her deep understanding of Washington to bring a unique blend of experience and insight to her new role as Executive Director of AmCham Greece in the USA.
Your appointment marks the launch of AmCham Greece’s presence in Washington DC, which is a strategic step at a time of exceptional momentum in US-Greece relations. What is your vision for this office, and how do you see it amplifying the Chamber’s mission on both sides of the Atlantic?
The momentum in US-Greece relations is impressive; it is withstanding the current geopolitical uncertainty. In the US, we see increased investor interest and a positive image of Greece not just as a strategic ally but also as a desirable destination. Importantly, we are also witnessing a renewed interest on the part of Greek Americans to reconnect with their homeland, which is not limited to visiting but also includes working and investing in Greece.
My vision for our USA office is to be the catalyst that capitalizes on this historic high for bilateral relations to benefit our respective economies—which in our case translates to supporting the global ambitions of Greek companies, whether they are looking for new partners or for new markets to grow their international presence, and at the same time help bring US investment to Greece. Because America is still the land of opportunity, as it offers both a huge market and an amazing wealth of resources, be it capital, people, or technology. And from its part, Greece offers strategic access as a gateway to the European Union market and an attractive base for a diverse set of business operations for a wider region, from Southeast Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.
We aim to amplify the mission of AmCham Greece by promoting Greece as an investment destination and by elevating the profile of Hellenic enterprise in the United States
Greece is increasingly viewed as a regional hub for energy, innovation, and infrastructure. Which sectors do you see as the most promising for US–Greece collaboration, and how will you work to promote investment in these areas?
While increasing the volume of bilateral trade and investment is a key goal, we are focused on the sectors that will provide the most added value to the Greek economy, and you correctly identify them as those where Greece can play a regional role. Greece’s geography makes it a hub for energy, logistics, and transport infrastructure, where we already see US interest, as Greece is viewed as a key part in building a more resilient supply chain for global trade.
But you are also right to point out innovation too, as there is great potential for technology transfer, research collaborations and business partnerships with the U.S. that could benefit the competitiveness in a wide range of Greek sectors, from defense and heavy industries to agribusiness and biotech. And real estate and tourism still have great potential, as Greece aims for a resilient model of development that supports a longer season and attracts expatriates and foreign retirees.
With your background in journalism and transatlantic affairs, how do you plan to navigate the Washington policy environment and elevate Greece’s economic and strategic profile within the US capital?
Greece has a lot of friends in the United States, and this is especially the case in Washington, where I have witnessed the increasing strategic importance that our American partners place on Greece. In public opinion, there is a total turnaround from the troubled days of the Greek financial crisis to the positive image of Greece that highlights its soft power as a cultural icon. A unique asset in that regard is Greek Americans, who are the ambassadors of Greek values and culture in the United States and make an impactful and engaged community that we also aim to serve with our US office.
So, from our new office in Washington, we will work with our friends and partners in the administration, the think tanks, the media, and our community leaders in joint efforts to build the case for expanding the US-Greece strategic partnership to trade and investment. The way I see it, President Donald Trump is focused on American security and supporting the dynamism of American business. So, to elevate Greece’s economic and strategic profile and bring investment to Greece, we plan to showcase the most dynamic sectors and opportunities for strategic synergies that support our aligned economic and security interests. And we also plan to use our strong people-to-people ties and soft power to highlight the multifaceted contribution of the Greek entrepreneurial spirit in America.
From our new office in Washington, we will build the case for expanding the US-Greece strategic partnership to trade and investment
How do you plan to amplify the mission of AmCham Greece in the United States, and what specific tools or partnerships do you envision introducing to help Greek businesses access the US market and to attract US investment into Greece?
As an independent and trusted business association, with deep and established ties in both countries, we will amplify the mission of AmCham Greece by promoting Greece as an investment destination and by elevating the profile of Hellenic enterprise in the United States. We are already seeing prospective investors use our office as a hub for access to information and for networking with potential partners. We are introducing various tools to help inform business and investment decisions by providing information and analysis, access to trusted professionals, and economic and business intelligence.
At the same time, we are working with key allies and partners such as the US Chamber of Commerce and the Greek Embassy in Washington to create a diverse program (from door-knock missions and conferences to webinars and happy hour socials) that is tailored to the interests and ambitions of our members, sharing value adding information and offering opportunities for networking, advocacy, and business facilitation in the United States and Greece.
In a time of shifting global alliances and emerging technologies, how can AmCham Greece’s new US presence act as a forward-looking platform for resilience, innovation, and deeper transatlantic business collaboration?
By geography, Greece is at the frontline of any future challenges in its neighborhood. Thus, even as Europe takes on more responsibility for its own security, Greece will remain a strategic regional ally for the United States as it undertakes efforts to help stabilize the region. And here lies the opportunity for us to expand the strategic partnership to strengthen the Greek economy by seeking business collaborations, technology transfers and innovative partnerships that will support Greece’s regional role and build its resilience and innovation capacity.
In particular, building resilient supply chains is a key security interest for both the United States and Europe, and as Greece is a key part of the region’s energy and infrastructure networks, I expect it to continue importing US LNG to Europe, safeguarding a resilient shipping industry and upgrading its logistics infrastructure. As for emerging technologies, the US is a world leader in AI and quantum technology, and partnering with US companies to develop AI applications may give a big leap to the Greek high-tech ecosystem and a big productivity boost to the economy.