Commentary
International Relations
Trump is Back. What Does It Mean for the Western Balkans?
14 November 2024
15 May 2019
Looming over the financial markets and in hot spots, a potential conflict between the two major world powers – the US and China – has been brewing, and allies have to be counted on for their support. Therefore, the US can no longer ignore Viktor Orbán.
The meeting of Viktor Orbán with Donald Trump is a symbolic beginning of a new era in the US relations with Central Europe. They can be assessed in two ways – from Budapest’s and Washington’s perspective.
The casualness of both parties during a press conference at the White House suggests that the atmosphere was not as comfortable as Orbán would have liked. Several factors have contributed to this, including harsh criticism from circles in Washington according to which many of Hungary’s policies violate basic democratic values.
The visit, which was preceded by negotiations on the purchase of American weapons, could have been more hopeful for Orbán.