Péter Magyar walks line between Brussels and Beijing on China Trade

Published on 14/04/2026 - 15:39 GMT+2

Viktor Orbán has positioned Hungary arsenic a European centre for Chinese electrical conveyance manufacturers, portion disregarding the EU’s tariffs connected them.

Now his governmental successor, Péter Magyar, appears little inclined to reverse that argumentation successful a extremist way.

At a property league connected Monday pursuing a landslide triumph against Orbán, Magyar praised China arsenic “one of the astir important, largest, and strongest countries successful the world.”

“I americium precise blessed to question to Beijing, and we are precise blessed to invited Chinese leaders present successful Hungary,” helium added.

Magyar besides said helium would “review” Chinese investments successful Hungary – peculiarly connected electrical vehicles - but “not with the purpose of shutting them down oregon preventing them from happening.”

In caller years, Hungary was anxious to pull Beijing’s largeness, with BYD gathering its archetypal European rider EV mill successful Szeged successful 2024 and large firms specified arsenic CATL, NIO and EVE Energy investing heavy successful the country.

But that open-door argumentation has progressively clashed with the EU’s propulsion to tighten scrutiny of Chinese investments, arsenic China floods Europe with low-cost imports and arsenic galore arsenic 600,000 occupation losses are projected successful the EU successful the bloc’s car assemblage this decennary amid intensifying contention from Chinese manufacturers.

Magyar volition besides person to woody with concerns implicit alleged forced labour involving Chinese workers astatine Hungarian plants of EV elephantine BYD, arsenic good arsenic a caller European Commission probe into unfair subsidies astatine the aforesaid site. Those developments person tarnished the company’s estimation and raised concerns implicit Beijing’s investments.

Driving much worth from concern successful Hungary

At his property league connected Monday, the person of Hungary’s Tisza enactment did not participate details. But helium made wide that Hungary would align its argumentation much intimately with Brussels.

“Rather, the extremity is to guarantee that those projects comply with European Union and Hungarian biology regulations, wellness procedures, and labour information standards, and lend to the show of the Hungarian nationalist economy,” Magyar added.

He besides appeared find to region himself from Orbán's wariness of a caller European Commission proposal connected “Made successful Europe,” which targets China.

The draught law, presently discussed by EU governments and MEPs, would enforce stricter conditions connected overseas nonstop concern supra €100 cardinal successful sectors specified arsenic batteries, electrical vehicles, star panels and captious earthy materials.

Under the proposal, investors from countries holding 40% of planetary marketplace stock successful a fixed assemblage would beryllium required to prosecute astatine slightest 50% of EU workers. Additional conditions could see overseas ownership caps beneath 49%, associated ventures with European partners and exertion transfers.

“What we bash not privation — and volition not judge — is for overseas companies to come, person important Hungarian authorities support, employment precise fewer Hungarians, make small to nary added worth for the Hungarian economy, and astatine the aforesaid clip endanger the prime of Hungary’s land, air, and water,” Magyar added, signalling his volition to align argumentation much intimately with Brussels.