Donald Trump Jr, the eldest son of US President Donald Trump, arrived in Republika Srpska’s administrative centre, Banja Luka, on Tuesday for a business-focused panel, in a visit that underscores the Bosnian Serb entity’s efforts to strengthen ties with the United States.
The event, held at the Banski Dvor cultural centre, brought together senior officials from the entity and local business representatives. A 200-metre security perimeter was established around the venue, with a visible police presence and armoured vehicles deployed in the area.
Speaking at the opening of the panel, Igor Dodik, the organisational secretary of the ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, SNSD – and son of former Republika Srpska president Milorad Dodik – thanked Trump Jr for accepting the invitation.
“Everything we plan and decide must be for the greater good of our people and for those who want to remain in Republika Srpska and build a better future,” Igor Dodik said.
Trump Jr addressed global political and economic trends, including artificial intelligence, and criticised the European Union as “a disaster that needs to be fixed”, echoing positions often associated with segments of US conservative politics.
While the official purpose of the visit has not been disclosed, the presence of Trump Jr has been widely interpreted as a sign of Republika Srpska’s broader attempt to woo figures close to the US administration.
Republika Srpska’s leadership, particularly Milorad Dodik, has had strained relations with Washington, including sanctions imposed by the US over actions seen as undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order. Against that backdrop, outreach to individuals linked to President Trump’s political and business network signal an effort to reframe those relations.
Trump Jr was accompanied by his fiancée, Bettina Anderson, and Brad Parscale, a former campaign manager and close associate of President Trump.
Parscale, who played a key role in Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns and who has been affiliated with the Trump Organisation since 2011, has also been a registered lobbyist for Israel since September 2025. His presence has drawn additional attention, given reported connections between Republika Srpska officials and lobbying networks linked to Israel.
Media reports in Bosnia suggested that potential business investments linked to companies associated with Trump Jr may also be part of the visit’s agenda. Since his father’s return to the White House in January last year, Trump Jr has taken on a leading role in the family businesses.
The visit follows earlier indications of Trump-linked investment interest in the region, including a proposed Trump Tower project in neighbouring Serbia involving the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.