Strongman Viktor Orbán's Hungary stood fast in it support of President Donald Trump Wednesday, becoming the only European nation voting against imposing reciprocal trade tariffs, according to new reporting in Politico.
The other 26 countries in the European Union voted to retaliate with 25% tariffs on some $23 billion of U.S. products. Politico reported that 14 EU countries would have needed to vote against the retaliation, "which had been seen as unlikely considering the shows of unity in recent weeks."
After the vote, the European Commission said in a statement, "The E.U. considers U.S. tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy. The E.U. has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the U.S., which would be balanced and mutually beneficial."
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The Washington Post reported, "The E.U. tariffs, some of which will take effect next week, were a belated response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs imposed last month."
At the time, Trump called the E.U. "one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States."
Trump's 20% tariffs on the E.U. too effect Wednesday.
Although he has spoken ill of the E.U., Trump has long supported Hungary's autocracy, holding up Viktor Orbán's regime "as a model" for his second term.
Last July, and again in December, Trump fêted Orbán at his Mar-a-Lago club. Hungary's prime minister, who has headed the government since 2010, and previously held the office from 1998 to 2002, endorsed Trump's bid for a second term.
Hungary's Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó posted on X Wednesday, "Escalation is not the answer. Such measures would cause further damage to European economy and citizens by raising prices. The only way forward is negotiations, not retaliation."
Read the Politico article here.