Hungary Eyes U.S. Trade Deal to Offset Trump Tariffs

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Hungary expects to sign a business agreement with the United States within six months to help cushion the economic impact of new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Speaking to the Hungarian website www.ot.hu, Orban stated that ongoing negotiations with the U.S. could lead to an economically beneficial deal, though he provided no further details.

Hungary, a European Union member with a car industry central to its economy, is particularly vulnerable to Trump’s proposed tariffs. The U.S. has announced 25% tariffs on EU imports of steel, aluminum, and automobiles, along with broader levies on most other goods. These measures come at a time when Hungary is grappling with a sluggish post-pandemic recovery and rising inflation, factors that could affect the ruling party’s performance in the 2026 elections.

Despite the trade tensions, Orban remains optimistic. “The tariffs will be negative for us, but we are negotiating other economic deals to offset them,” he said. Orban also voiced confidence in the long-term outlook of U.S. politics, suggesting that Republicans could remain in power for 12 years, continuing what he termed a “patriot Republican” agenda.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed confidence that a broader U.S.-EU trade agreement could be reached before the end of Trump’s 90-day pause on certain tariffs.

Hungary’s close political alignment with Trump and strategic talks with Washington signal a proactive effort to mitigate tariff-related risks, particularly in key sectors like automotive manufacturing. As negotiations advance, the outcome could play a critical role in Hungary’s economic positioning amid growing global trade tensions.