Hungary’s rejection of US coercion over China ties in own interest, reflects broader Europe sentiment: expert

Hungary won't reduce its economic ties with China, the nation's minister of economy said, in the clearest sign yet that Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government won't bow to US pressure to distance itself from Beijing, according to Bloomberg on Monday.

Chinese analysts see this reaction from Budapest as "emblematic of a broader sentiment in Europe" and is likely to prompt more European countries to follow suit.

According to Bloomberg, Hungary's Economy Minister Marton Nagy told reporters in Budapest on Monday that "We don't see an investment potential from the US that would be on par with China… We have a very pragmatic position."

The latest development came as the US has been pressuring Hungary to reduce its reliance on China, after the Asian nation became a key partner for Budapest in the electric vehicle industry as well as in telecommunications.

Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on Friday urged Hungary and other east European nations with Chinese links to choose the US instead as its main economic partner, according to Bloomberg.

Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Hungary's reaction is easy to understand and within expectation, noting that the European country's economic growth in foreign cooperation over the past decade has been driven primarily by China.

For instance, recent collaborations between China and Hungary in electric vehicles and green energy have achieved remarkable success, Cui said.

According to the Xinhua News Agency in January, China accounted for the largest share of foreign investments in Hungary in 2024, with seven Chinese projects contributing nearly half of the year's total investment value.

From Hungary's perspective, there is no reason to force a binary choice between China and the US, Cui said, pointing out that the US faces not only domestic economic uncertainties but also political unpredictability in its foreign relations.

"As long as Hungary acts in its own interests and pursues long-term, foreseeable goals, it has no reason to yield to what amounts to US coercion or unreasonable demands," Cui said.

"Hungary's stance is emblematic of a broader sentiment in Europe," Cui said.

Similarly, British Chancellor Rachel Reeves said recently that it would be "very foolish" for Britain to disengage with China, Daily Mail reported on April 19. The report noted that Reeves "attempts to draw a line in the sand with the US over their treatment of Beijing."

The fact that even a longstanding ally like the UK, often considered the US' staunchest partner, has made such a statement, is a proof that the US' zero-sum logic and hegemonic tactics are losing credibility across Europe, Cui said.

"Faced with US pressure to choose sides, I believe more European countries will respond similarly to Hungary," he noted.