As President Trump threatens hefty tariffs, particularly on the European car industry, Europe faces a difficult task in managing trade negotiations.
In a recent article by Germany’s Die Zeit, it was highlighted that Trump has a strong affinity for tariffs, having repeatedly stated, “I love tariffs.” His proposed 25% tariff hikes on goods from Mexico and Canada have especially raised alarms in Europe, particularly in Germany, which exported goods worth around €158 billion to the U.S. in 2023—about 10% of its total exports.
The question now is: who can the EU rely on to negotiate with Trump? Officially, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is tasked with this responsibility, but many are wondering if someone else could be more effective. One name frequently brought up in discussions is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Austrian economist Gabriel Felbermayr suggests that Europe should consider sending Orbán to Washington to handle the trade talks, asking, “Who is Trump willing to reasonably negotiate with on trade policy issues?” Felbermayr also pointed out the significance of Hungary’s auto sector, which stands to lose a lot if trade tensions with the U.S. escalate. This makes Orbán a key figure in the negotiations, as his country’s economy could be directly impacted by any transatlantic trade war.
While Orbán has been vocal about his opposition to tariffs, even warning the EU of a potential “cold war” with China over electric vehicle tariffs, the Hungarian leader’s involvement in EU trade talks may require some additional motivation. After all, Brussels has frozen billions in funding to Hungary and has actively sought to challenge Orbán’s leadership.
