Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has announced that Budapest will vote against the retaliatory tariffs proposed by the European Union on goods from the United States. Brussels plans to introduce these measures in response to U.S. import duties.
In a video address posted on Facebook, Szijjártó emphasized that in the current climate of “many uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariff policy,” what is needed most is “strategic calm and restraint.” According to him, imposing countermeasures would only lead to rising prices and further difficulties for the European economy.
We do not support the idea of counter-tariffs because they will hurt consumers. The only solution is negotiations and reducing the tariff burden, the minister stressed.
He also stated that the European Commission has prepared a list of hundreds of American products on which it plans to impose duties. According to Szijjártó, such measures would result in a price increase in Hungary of around 18 billion forints (approximately 44 million euros).
He further criticized the EU’s actions, accusing Brussels of inefficiency and of missing the opportunity to prevent a trade conflict through dialogue with the administration of Donald Trump.
