By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s prime minister confirmed Saturday that he is working on a “strategic and economic“ alliance with the United States after reports that U.S. President Donald J. Trump wants to move American troops from Germany to Hungary.
Viktor Orbán did not address the troop movements directly but said the accord would help the Hungarian economy, which is suffering from the impact of the war in Ukraine. He suggested that it would also offset the effect of possible U.S. tariffs on European goods.
Although Central and Eastern Europe’s direct trade exposure to the U.S. was limited, growth prospects were likely to be hit through the German car sector if Trump’s 25 percent tariffs go ahead. Several German car makers are producing in Hungary.
News of closer Hungary-U.S. ties came after officials said Trump is considering withdrawing roughly 35,000 troops from Germany and that at least some of them will be stationed in Hungary.
The U.S. president, who says Europe must commit more to its defensive capabilities, is becoming “increasingly frustrated” that the continent is “pushing for war,” stressed sources close to the administration in comments published by Britain’s The Telegraph newspaper.
Orbán agrees with Trump that the war should end, prompting the American president to award his friend Orbán with economic and military support.
A U.S. diplomat with close knowledge of the situation told Worthy News that U.S. troops have already been in Hungary to help coordinate a response to the war in Ukraine.
INTERNATIONAL ATTACKS
Speaking on Saturday at the annual gathering of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK), Orbán noted, “For three years, we struggled against international attacks to avoid getting dragged into the war. We didn’t send weapons or money except for humanitarian purposes.”
He defended his decision to effectively veto more military support from the European Union to Ukraine this week and withholding support for a declaration backing the wartorn nation.
“To give that up at the last minute — regardless of how much pressure we’re under — would be a mistake,” Orbán told his audience.
He noticed that Hungary’s economy had lost 20 billion euros ($21.7 billion) since the start of the war in Ukraine three years ago. “So if there’s a country that has a vital interest in the war ending as soon as possible, it is Hungary,” Orbán stated.
The prime minister said Hungary welcomed the United States’s now-shared position on the war. He urged Washington not to heed Europe’s call to send weapons and money to the conflict. “Let’s protect ourselves and stay out of this,” he added.
Orbán argued that Hungary had no reason to be concerned about its security, as the U.S. and Turkey had the strongest armies in the NATO military alliance.
Hungary also has good tensions with both nations. “NATO will still exist after the war, and Hungary will be a member,” Orbán stressed.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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