Would the merchant traveling to crete be in the same country or continent as egypt?

No

Explanation:

The island of Crete (Kriti in Greek) is the largest and most populous island in Greece, and is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located south of the Aegean Sea and comprises the southern tip of Greece, along with the island of Gavdos, and is positioned at the crossroads of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Egypt is located in a desert region on the banks of the Nile River in the northeast portion of the African continent, is bordered by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea and is bordered by Sudan and the Libyan Desert.

Although Crete is close to the African continent, it is not inserted in the continent. For this reason we can say that the trader traveling to Crete would not be in the same country or continent as Egypt.

nasa 3

the secretary of state, appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the senate, is the president's chief foreign affairs adviser. the secretary carries out the president's foreign policies through the state department and the foreign service of the united states.