In a move unprecedented in recent years, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó delivered a speech as guest of honour at the US Embassy in Budapest during a reception celebrating American Independence Day. His invitation is seen as a clear sign of healing US–Hungarian relations following the deterioration under former US President Joe Biden’s administration and former Ambassador David Pressman.
‘Over the past few months, stable foundations have been laid for a new golden age in US–Hungarian relations. Since President Donald Trump took office, friendship has replaced lecturing, accusations, and stigmatization,’ Szijjártó highlighted in his speech. ‘Since Trump took office, virtually everything in the world has changed. And that is no exaggeration, given that a revolution of common sense has begun. We Hungarians are proud to be among the standard-bearers of this revolution,’ he added.
Szijjártó also emphasized that, under Trump, the world has become safer. ‘New wars have become shorter, and old ones seem to be running out of steam. With President Trump, terms such as peace, peace negotiations, and ceasefire can once again be used legitimately. Those who attacked us for more than three years for using these words are now using them too,’ Szijjártó pointed out.
Speaking at the US ambassador’s residence, Péter Szijjártó explained that the two countries are pursuing very similar strategies regarding border protection and the fight against illegal migration. ‘The experiences of illegal immigration in Western Europe are crystal clear. They prove that we are right to insist on our sovereign right to make sovereign decisions about whom we allow into our country and with whom we are willing to live,’ he stressed.
Szijjártó also addressed the issues of supporting families and strengthening traditional values—two areas on which both the Hungarian and US governments place great emphasis. Regarding bilateral economic cooperation, the foreign minister noted that trade turnover set a new record last year, and that American companies constitute the third-largest group of investors in Hungary.
Szijjártó further announced that a new Hungarian consulate will soon open in Boston, and that the Hungarian government has recently decided to provide HUF 9 billion in support for American companies investing in the automotive industry, electromobility, and digital research and development.
‘Across the ocean, they say “America first”. On this side of the ocean, we say “Hungary first”. And the principles of “America first” and “Hungary first” give us the opportunity to raise our friendship to a level where the sky is the limit,’ he said.
‘God bless the wonderful nation that loves freedom and fights for freedom, the United States, and God bless the American–Hungarian friendship, for which we will continue to make tremendous efforts in the coming period,’ he concluded.
Speaking at the reception, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Robert Palladino echoed Szijjártó’s sentiments, stating: ‘From now on, the United States will engage with our Hungarian allies the way true partners should: privately, respectfully, and constructively. No more public scoldings. No more moralizing from podiums. That era is over.’ Palladino added that ‘we believe in values that transcend politics or geography—values shared by both our peoples: faith, family, nation, and freedom.’
The reception was attended by more than 600 guests. In addition to Szijjártó, Minister of the Interior Sándor Pintér and Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky also represented the Hungarian government.
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