Donald Trump Jr.: Trust-based relationship between Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump could strengthen economic ties
The strong personal relationship and trust between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and U.S. President Donald Trump could serve as a solid foundation for strengthening economic ties, Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of the president, said at a private business forum in Budapest on Friday.
Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of the Trump Organisation, was invited to the event — titled Trump Business 2025 and organised by Portfolio — by businessman Zoltán Aczél. The forum aimed to explore business opportunities in the region, said entrepreneur Ákos Janza during the opening.
During his speech, Donald Trump Jr. emphasised that he is visiting Hungary this time as a businessman, whereas last summer he participated as part of the Trump campaign team. Reflecting on his roots, he said it was a special feeling — as the son of a Czech immigrant who spent weeks in communist countries as a child — to witness the region’s transformation.
He noted that the region was often looked down upon and treated like a “stepchild” by Western Europe in the past.
Today, however, he believes that when comparing Hungary and other Central and Eastern European countries to Western states, the former often present a much more favourable image. He attributed this to the fact that governments in the region tend to pursue rational policies that prioritise the interests of their people.
Trump Jr. added that he was delighted to return to Hungary, where he received an extremely warm welcome.
Following his speech, he answered questions from business leaders.
He said Hungary holds a unique position, acting as a bridge between East and West due to its geographic location. He praised the Hungarian people’s willingness to stand by their values, supported by strong leadership, and pointed to the nation’s work ethic and efficiency as additional strengths.
Touching on global issues, Trump Jr. argued that today, China — not Russia — poses the greatest threat to freedom and democracy.
Speaking about U.S. tariff disputes with China, he said that although strong action against China had long been urged in the United States, Donald Trump was the first to actually take real steps.
He acknowledged that this approach might have painful short-term consequences but insisted that perseverance is key, as China depends more on American purchasing power than the other way around.
Addressing Chinese infrastructure investments, he was sharply critical, claiming that Chinese actors often arrive “with briefcases full of cash,” sign contracts quickly, perform low-quality work using their own labour force, and leave projects in chaos. He added that China has often acted in bad faith, increasing the indebtedness of partner countries through these projects.
On cryptocurrencies, Trump Jr. said they offer enormous opportunities to make the financial system fairer and more democratic, improving access to financial products. In his view, proper regulation would encourage more investment in the sector.
Regarding artificial intelligence, he stressed that, “We must understand that our adversaries will not impose the same limitations on themselves as we do, so we cannot afford to let the bad actors gain the upper hand in this area.” He warned that the world needs the United States to remain strong, as hostile players would exploit American weakness.
According to Trump Jr., the United States and its allies must develop new strategic alliances based on business cooperation and become more open to partnerships. He emphasised that in strategically critical industries like pharmaceuticals and chip manufacturing, the United States remains highly dependent on China and Taiwan.
He underlined that while it is unrealistic to expect industries like textiles or other sectors critical to national security to immediately return to the U.S., a shift has already begun. Several billion dollars in investments have been announced within the United States, and capital is increasingly flowing out of China. He cited Mexico and Colombia’s willingness to negotiate on tariffs and noted that Apple has announced plans to move iPhone production to India to bypass China.
Returning to bilateral relations, Trump Jr. said that the Biden administration has often taken a hostile stance toward the Orbán government because of its patriotic policies and open support for Donald Trump.
He argued that the United States must also recognise the investment opportunities Hungary and the region offer. However, he stressed that engagement must be mutual. Trump Jr. highlighted the pharmaceutical and technology sectors as areas with significant potential for cooperation.
He also emphasised the crucial role that chambers of commerce can play in mapping opportunities and helping American businesses better understand the potential of the Hungarian market.
Read more about US-Hungary relations HERE.
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