There are significant tangible results from the new phase in relations between Hungary and the United States since US President Donald Trump took office, said Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on Thursday in Budapest.
Speaking at an event organized by the American-Hungarian Business Council, the Minister first pointed out that since the last similar meeting, with President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January this year, relations between the two countries have entered a completely new phase.
We have always had good economic relations. We have always had good defense relations. But we have always had poor political relations, and this has cast a shadow over the well-functioning parts of our cooperation. That has now come to an end,”
he emphasized. “So, after a period of recriminations and cornering, we are now in a situation where there is genuine personal friendship between the leaders of the two countries,” he added.
He explained that this has had significant tangible results, such as Hungary’s return to the ESTA program, and mentioned the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant and the removal of Antal Rogán, head of the Prime Minister’s Office, from the sanctions list. He also welcomed the fact that since Donald Trump’s inauguration, several American companies have announced investments in Hungary, all of which are high value-added, modern technology projects. During the roundtable discussion, Péter Szijjártó also touched on the recently concluded customs agreement between the European Union and the United States, which he said was very disadvantageous for the EU and “the worst possible agreement that could have been reached in this matter.”
This is not the first time that the European Commission has caused damage to the European economy, and I fear it will not be the last,”
he said. He recalled that the Brussels body did not follow the Hungarian Government’s proposal to reduce automotive tariffs to the same level, which could have countered the arguments of the US leadership.
Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: European Commission/ Fred Guerdin
“Unfortunately, the European Commission did not take this step—it was not brave and capable enough,” he said. He stated that what Hungary can do is try to mitigate the negative effects of the tariff agreement. Finally, the Minister welcomed the fact that Hungarian-American trade turnover broke another record last year, reaching EUR 9.5 billion. He noted that over the past ten years, the government has supported investments by 145 American companies worth approximately EUR 315 million.
“And we want to continue this. We want to support American investors as much as possible, because that means they are investing in Hungary,” he concluded.
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FM Péter Szijjártó hailed the reinstatement of ESTA privileges as a milestone in US–Hungarian relations under Donald Trump’s presidency.Continue reading
Via MTI; Featured photo: Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán
The post Record Trade and Renewed Friendship: Hungary and the US Move Forward appeared first on Hungary Today.
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