Donald Trump’s high expectations for PM Orbán: Buy American arms and gas, curb Chinese deals
Since Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, Hungarian-American relations have entered a new phase, marked by both high-level dialogue and clear American expectations for Hungary’s economic and geopolitical orientation. According to sources close to both governments, Trump’s administration has placed a strong emphasis on tangible economic cooperation, surprising some in the Hungarian government who did not anticipate such a transactional approach from Washington.
Direct demands: arms, energy, and China
Following Trump’s November election victory, he and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have maintained regular contact, with Trump reportedly seeking Orbán’s insights on Russia’s war capabilities and the prospects for peace in Ukraine. However, beyond strategic discussions, Trump’s administration has made it clear that Hungary is expected to increase its purchases of American-made weapons and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Additionally, Washington has signaled that Hungary should scale back its business ties with China, particularly in sensitive sectors, Szabad Európa reports.
Economic agreements and diplomatic realities
Hungarian officials, including Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, have confirmed that negotiations are underway for a new bilateral economic agreement with the United States. The Hungarian side is eager to attract American investment, such as the establishment of a weapons factory, but U.S. officials remain cautious. Trump’s broader policy of encouraging American companies to reshore operations complicates the prospect of major new U.S. investments in Hungary, Szabad Európa writes based on multiple sources.
Despite the positive rhetoric, Hungarian sources acknowledge that, in the grand scheme of U.S.-China rivalry, Hungary’s influence is limited. One government insider noted that while Hungary seeks to maintain strong ties with both Washington and Beijing, the current period is one of power posturing between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. There is a belief in Budapest that any eventual U.S.-China agreement will likely come at Europe’s expense.
A transactional relationship
The Hungarian government remains optimistic about finalising a trade deal with the U.S., potentially as early as the summer, which could provide an opportunity for Orbán to visit Washington. However, officials recognise that Hungary’s leverage is modest, and that the Trump administration’s expectations—buying American arms and gas, and reducing Chinese business—are clear prerequisites for deeper cooperation.
As it seems, the new era of Hungarian-American relations under Trump is defined by explicit economic and strategic demands from Washington, with Hungary navigating a delicate balance between its Western alliances and its longstanding ties to China.
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If the subject of this article is FACT.
Conundrum of Victor Orbans creation.
China & United States of America – that Hungary will pay a HEFTY Price either way Orban “try’s it on”.
Orban, just using the past decade, the FREEDOM of Entry he his Fidesz Government have encouraged facilitated for Chinese investment into Hungary, the thousands of the people of China, who now call Hungary HOME that extends in broadness the far broader impact and influence the name China has in Hungary to-day.
Hungary’s relationship with China, plans for FUTURE growth through INVESTMENT of China into Hungary, the Orban led Fidesz Government are a “lap-dog” to China.
Hungary through the on-going rail up-grade from the EAST – in the Hungarian – Chinese “partnership” it has validness makes a high degree of sense writing that strategically Budapest, Hungary – is a MAJOR distribution meeting point location and “other” of the NEW Silk Road – that is the East – it meets with the Western World.
Orban and his Fidesz Government – in “over there heads” with China, that future PLANS with China – if Orban “try’s it on” with China – possible use again of a “treasonous” act, that the Chinese reaction WOULD awaked Chinese DRAGONS – that would DEVOUR personally Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government.
China & America – those TARIFF’s – deeply HARMFUL in RELATIONSIPS – that WILL worsen, that Orban through his Trump “support” of America and China’s gargantuan investments and “other” and FUTURE plans of Orban with China – this DAMAGEING conundrum Orban has “Feed” – led us Hungary into, we will NOT be winners.
There can be just one WINNER from the Orban conundrum and that is China.
Would Fidesz dare to follow amarican instructions? I mean, the mantra has always been “cheap russian gas” and now that the orange guy wants to set his rules, whit what face would orban tell to his supporters that we need now more expensive gas, weapons and so on?
You have china and you have the CCP – maybe you forgot what the 2 nd C stands for and what it means. The US made the very rich china you have today who only plays by its rules the many stupid americans joined in. Europe has been at the expense of the american taxpayers fo 75years. Hungary is hardly a player except for one of the few with common
sense in the EU.—hungary and Orban are greatly admired in the US. Bring on your opposition and you will see hit in the face like FAFO !!
Question – in Mr. Trump speak: “who is holding the cards?”.
It is “Art of the Deal” – with our Politicians on the receiving end. Again – be careful what you wish for!
Biden gave Hungary an easier time than Trump is. The difference is that Trump and Orban can make joint statements about gender and migrants for Magyar Hirlap to print. I doubt anyone wants to build a weapons factory in Hungary because you can’t have high confidence that Hungary will remain within the NATO alliance. Fidesz could use it to ship weapons to a long list of repressive autocratic states that it does business with as well as other bad actors. The controversy over a recent Hungarian military operation in Republika Srpska is a perfect example illustrating the impossibilty of trusting Hungary.
I would LOVE to see the agreements Rheinmetall and other weapon manufacturers have with Hungary. I am almost certain that pain points, especially related to export permits and the like, are addressed in lurid detail. Especially given recent experience with the Swiss and potential (similar) issues with US kit:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/european-nations-snub-swiss-made-weapons-over-ukraine-restrictions/87599015