Romania is the most pro-US country in the EU: Ilan Laufer

Ilan Laufer, Romania’s Trade Minister, met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Friday to improve the growing trade relationship between the two countries.

“Romania is the most pro-American country in the European Union,” Laufer said in an exclusive interview with FOX Business’ Liz Claman.

Romania became the first member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to implement President Donald Trump’s policy of NATO allies contributing 2% of their gross domestic product towards defense spending.

The eastern European country struck a $4 billion deal with the U.S. government to buy Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)-made Patriot air and missile defense systems.

“For us, it was a priority actually working with the U.S. companies because it was also part of our policies [of] supporting,” Laufer said.

Laufer, who was appointed Romania’s Trade Minister in January, led the country’s delegation to improve the economy by selecting U.S. companies to do business with Romania.

“This year we are celebrating 20 years of having strategic partnership with the United States,” he said.