On May 16, 2025, the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) held a roundtable discussion titled, “Trump’s First 100 Days: A New Paradigm in Presidential Leadership”. The panelists included Daniel Levine, Visting Fellow at the Danube Institute, Tamás Péter Baranyi, Director for Strategy at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, and Ramachandra Byrappa, Senior Research Fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs. The discussion was moderated by HIIA Research Fellow Dániel Lévai.
The roundtable discussion examined Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, with panelists highlighting a presidency marked by urgency, disruption, and a lasting political shift. Daniel Levine noted that Trump appears far more prepared than in 2016, while Tamás Baranyi described the moment as a “political revolution,” with Trumpism becoming a dominant force well beyond the man himself.
Panelists agreed that Trump began implementing his agenda from day one, contrasting his highly practical approach with the more philosophical tone of the Biden administration. Ramachandra Byrappa described Trump as a man “on a mission,” indifferent to elite opinion and focused on restoring jobs and dignity to the lower 80% of Americans.
In foreign policy, Levine emphasized a dramatic shift: Trump’s recent speech in Saudi Arabia signaled a move toward pragmatic, interest-based diplomacy. “America First,” he argued, is not isolationist but realist. Baranyi added that the U.S. is no longer giving away public goods for free—partners must now contribute. Byrappa warned of a growing U.S. perception that Europe is drifting toward China, eroding trust.
On Europe, Trump’s key message was that the U.S. prefers bilateral ties over dealing with the EU as a whole. Germany sparked debate: while Trump reportedly criticized CDU leader Friedrich Merz, Byrappa claimed Trump sees him as a conservative he can work with.
Looking ahead, Levine predicted that Trump will seek a deal on Ukraine he can brand as a success—or blame its failure on others and disengage. Meanwhile, focus is expected to turn toward deterrence in Taiwan, signaling a new phase in U.S. global strategy.