Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sharply criticized the outcome of recent talks between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, which took place on Sunday in Scotland. According to Orbán, Trump "literally devoured" von der Leyen, whom he described as a "lightweight" compared to the "heavyweight" Trump.

He believes the result of the talks is a disadvantageous trade agreement for the European Union, which includes a 15% tariff on European goods destined for the American market, while the US will export to Europe without tariffs. Orbán also expressed surprise at von der Leyen's promises of European investments worth hundreds of billions of euros and purchases of American weapons, questioning who would finance these commitments. "Who will implement these investments? Whose consent is being given? Who will provide the money and capital: the German Chancellor, the French President, the Hungarian Prime Minister?" he asked in a program on the YouTube channel of the popular Hungarian host Balázs Németh. He added that the United Kingdom recently concluded a more favorable agreement with the US.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also expressed a similar critical view of the agreement, warning that it would lead to further deindustrialization of Europe. At the Terra Scientia educational forum in Moscow, he stated that Europe would spend $750 billion to purchase American energy sources, particularly liquefied natural gas and nuclear energy, and completely abandon Russian sources.

"This approach will lead to further deindustrialization of Europe, a outflow of investments to the US, and a significant increase in energy prices, which will be a severe blow to European industry and agriculture," Lavrov stated.

He also criticized von der Leyen for boasting about this path, which he believes will worsen social problems in Europe because "they are obliged to defeat Russia." Lavrov emphasized that these trade agreements are clearly disadvantageous for Europe.

A similar view is held by Boris Kopeikin, chief economist of the Institute for Economic Growth named after Peter Stolypin. According to him, the agreement brings more benefits to the United States than to Europe, although American consumers will also feel the rise in prices. Kopeikin pointed out that the 15% tariff is higher than historical examples and exceeds the 10% tariff agreed in May for the United Kingdom. The agreement also increases Europe's dependence on American energy sources, which, according to him, reinforces Qatar's warnings about possible restrictions on LNG supplies to the EU.

Kopeikin also mentioned the concerns of German industry about the negative impact on exports and the uncertainty regarding the possible continuation of 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum, or tariffs on European wine and the pharmaceutical sector.

In summary, according to Orbán, Lavrov, and Kopeikin, the new trade agreement between the EU and the US is disadvantageous for Europe, increases its dependence on American sources, and poses a further economic burden on European industrial and social sectors.

TASS/gnews.cz - GH