Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán says he would leave the EU ‘if the US gives him a better chance’.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hopes the return of Donald Trump as US president and support from China can strengthen his role within the European Union. He said this while speaking in Baile Tusnad, Romania. Since his country became the interim president of the Council of the European Union, the prime minister has emerged as a peacemaker, much to the annoyance and consternation of other member states.

During her speech, Orbán spoke of a “weak EU core”, referring to LGBTQ rights and immigration. He compared it to a “rational and strong” Russia led by Vladimir Putin, a rising Asia and nation-state east of the EU pursuing an “independence policy”. For now, Orbán says he favors keeping Hungary as a center for nationalist politics in the EU.

Orbán has also used Trump’s well-known slogan for Europe (‘Make Europe Great Again’) and openly supports the former US president’s candidacy.

The prime minister often uses his annual address in Romania to announce controversial nationalist policies, often sparking tensions with neighboring countries. This year’s speech came at a particular time: Hungary’s presidency has been difficult so far. Orbán’s ‘peace trips’ were not well received by other EU member states, as he went to them without mandate or permission. In his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, among others, he gave the impression of speaking on behalf of the entire European Union.

‘America didn’t make the best deal’

Orbán often acts contrary to EU policy. For example, he once froze the Union budget, withheld aid to Ukraine and suggested more than once that life would be better outside the EU. But he said in his speech that he did not expect the United States to offer his country an offer that offered better political and economic opportunities than, for example, EU membership. “But if we get such an opportunity, we have to consider it.”

At the same time, the prime minister says it is in China’s interest to keep Hungary within the EU. This was evident when President Xi Jinping visited Budapest last May. Since then, Hungary’s role as a gateway for Chinese electric car and battery manufacturers to other European markets has strengthened. Hungary is getting a billion euros from Chinese banks this year to finance infrastructure development.

The money is needed because the country has lost billions in EU funds in recent years by not adhering to the rules. According to Brussels, the Hungarian government is guilty of corruption and collusion.