US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that the United States is ready to work with Hungary’s next prime minister, while expressing regret over the electoral defeat of Orbán Viktor.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Vance delivered the first reaction from the administration of Donald Trump to the outcome of Hungary’s parliamentary elections.
Asked whether he regretted visiting Budapest just days before the vote, the vice president said the trip had been intended as a show of support for a European leader who had repeatedly defended US interests in disputes within the European Union.
Vance described Orbán as ‘one of the few European leaders willing to stand up to a European bureaucracy that behaves poorly toward the United States.’ He added that in several cases where EU institutions had taken action against American companies, Hungary had been the only country to oppose such measures.
‘At times when European bureaucrats targeted US businesses, the only “no” vote in defence of American interests came from Hungary,’ Vance said.
The vice president acknowledged that opinion polls ahead of the election had already indicated a strong possibility of Orbán losing power after 16 years in office. He said his decision to visit Hungary was based on the belief that it was important to stand by a leader who had consistently supported the United States.
Vance also characterized Orbán’s time in office as transformative, arguing that his leadership had fundamentally reshaped Hungary’s political and economic landscape over more than a decade and a half.
Despite his personal appreciation for the outgoing prime minister, Vance stressed that Washington is prepared to engage constructively with Hungary’s incoming leadership. He said the United States values its relationship with Hungary and will seek continued cooperation on key issues, including security, economic ties, and transatlantic relations.
Vance’s remarks suggest that, although the Trump administration had strong ties with Orbán, it is now focused on maintaining pragmatic cooperation with Hungary’s new government going forward.
Related articles: