Experts: Hungarian-American relationship will worsen, further restrictions in the pipeline
Zoltán Novák, the project director of the Centre for Fair Political Analysis, and Zoltán Kiszelly, the political analyst director of the Századvég School of Politics, agreed that the USA will continue the restrictions concerning Hungarian citizens because that is an element of their pressurise strategy. Meanwhile, government-close Magyar Nemzet wrote today that the main reason behind the Tuesday restriction of visa-free travel from Hungary to the USA is Ambassador David Pressman. His intervention annulled a possible agreement after promising negotiations between the two parties.
Additional restrictions possible to exert pressure
Mr Novák and Mr Kiszelly were asked by ATV, a Hungarian opposition-close TV channel about the recent scandal concerning Hungarian tourists travelling to the USA. The case in a nutshell: the validity of ESTA (the Electronic System for Travel Authorization allowing Hungarians to travel to the USA visa-free) for holders of Hungarian passports will be reduced from two years to one year. Furthermore, an ESTA will be valid for one-time use only.
The only question is why Washington introduced another harsh restriction against Hungary and why now. In 2022, they abolished ESTA travels for Hungarians born abroad. Moreover, THIS March they terminated unilaterally a double taxation treaty.
The USA says that Hungarians did not provide solutions for their security concerns. Meanwhile, Budapest argues the reason was that the Orbán administration did not provide data for Washington about the Hungarian citizens born abroad. The Hungarian government talks about political revenge, while the USA said the double citizenship law allowed criminals to enter the USA with the help of the ESTA system.
Experts agree that the real reasons behind the harsh step of the USA remains in the shadow. Some think about Orbán’s “China-praising speech” in July. Others believe the baulking of Sweden’s NATO accession was the last straw. Zoltán Kiszelly said Washington is interested in escalating the political conflicts with Hungary. The USA exerts pressure on Hungary because the Orbán cabinet does not move in the “right” direction. Hungary provides another alternative e.g. in the war in Ukraine, the Chinese battery plants or the expansion of Huawei. And that is what the Biden administration does not like so they divert professional debates to political conflicts.
Hungary waits for Trump’s victory?
“This is another warning shot”, and he believes the Americans will introduce further restrictions concerning visas and travel. Such steps are warnings towards other countries like Slovakia to show what differing from the mainstream can result in. Meanwhile, the Hungarian government does not change its policies because it waits for the results of the 2024 presidential elections.
Mr Novák said the Americans might start to ban Hungarian individuals as they did in 2014. Then, even Ildikó Vida, the president of Hungary’s tax authority, was denied to enter the USA. He added that Hungary’s positive relationship with the Russians and the Chinese is a security concern for Brussels and Washington. Interestingly, Biden shook hands only with Orbán before the NATO “family photo” this June. However, Novák said that was just a spontaneous thing.
Meanwhile, government-close Magyar Nemzet gave a simple explanation of why the restriction happened. They said negotiations between the Hungarians and the Americans went professionally and successfully. Hungarian officials worked with the American diplomats smoothly, and an agreement was close. However, Ambassador Pressman intervened and baulked a possible agreement. Magyar Nemzet also wrote that Pressman aims to meet with PM Orbán, but he could not yet. The government-close paper added that without the ESTA, Hungarians would have to pay USD 185 for a tourist visa. Furthermore, obtaining one requires much more administration and beureocracy.
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8 Comments
Pressman represents Biden’s tyranny. Pressman probably hates Hungary. Being a member of the LGBT community, he cannot stand the fact that Hungary protects children from grooming. Since Pressman is refusing to go home, there is only one solution, all government ministers and FIDESZ elected representatives should stop talking to him. He should be isolated.
It is a sad state, that from among the wonderful talented American people, Biden’s choice Pressman, managed to alienate the people of Hungary against the US.
It was a known FACT by the experts, that on the “outing” of Victor Orbans “mate” – the “infamous”
45th elected President of the United States of America – Donald J. Trump, that the Biden administration – the DEMOCRATS, would CLASH with the Orban Government.
Orban – “mouthed off” his support for Trump prior to the Presidential elections in 2021 – and prior to that time, was in a GROWING ugly CONFLICT mounting and building – with the European Union, which has been REMEMBERED by the President of the United States of America.
Post 2021 – we Hungary have seen the SHATTERING of numerous relationships just not the European Union and the United States of America, but with country’s GOVERNED under DEMOCRACY – a word that HAUNTS and Unnerves Orban.
Time goes on, and we bear witness that is openly exhibited displayed to Hungarians, the DEMOCRATIC governed country’s of the global world, the path that Orban has “Driven” – by force & power – sending Hungary deeper into a Shambles of gigantic MESS, his Failure and Capabilities, to advocate and PREACH – the WRONGS of DEMOCRACY – and “other” country’s WRONGS in being DEMOCRATIC – have HUMILIATED and SUNK – his Political reputation.
The United States of America – remembers – RIGHTFULLY.
Hungary through Orban – his Government – pays the MASSIVE Price, which we the citizens in our millions have to WEAR – wrongfully – through the “mouthing off” undertaken by Victor Orban.
The Orban Government will get what it deserves. As far as ESTA rules being changed to one time only use requiring reapplication I doubt that will have much affect on most Hungarians who seek to travel to the US. It will be a bit of a chore for frequent travellers but they can just reapply for each trip. It’s all done on-line so no big deal. As far as Hungarians born abroad are concerned the US is being rightly vigilant for security in requiring tourist visas. I find it hilariously hypocritical when the Orban Government hyperventilates about protecting Hungary’s borders and then turns around and criticizes the US for protecting its’ own. The Orban Government is a collection of clowns.
The Biden administration wants to destroy the Orban administration and they will stop at nothing. It is as simple as that. Unfortunately, the foreign policy of the Orban administration is making it easy for them.
The EU motto unity through diversity is a joke. The Brussels’ government cannot abide any county that does not agree with newly enacted policy. One of the democrats and Biden’s supporter is Soros. Soros cannot abide the Hungarian government because Soros was not made king. I would not be surprised that the Soros family is blackmailing Biden, if you want political donations you have to oppress Hungary. Hungary’s trade with the US is minimal, the Biden Administration can do a rain dance but their tyranny with end in 2024.
The US economy is a mess, average families are finding it hard to put food on the table, and the US credit rating was down rated. Two Chinese descendants were charged for giving China naval secrets. By-the-way, it seems that the pendulum is swinging the other way in the US. Daily, more and more people are opposing the American support of Ukraine. It may be time for the Biden Administration to pay attention to American affairs instead of trying to be a dictator of the world.
Many nations, inc. and especially the EU, have had issues with wealthy &/or investor visas and citizenship; especially the past 18 months?
Think the real issue is the Hungarian citizenship awarded to many foreign ‘investors’ in the previous decade, may have had dubious occupations &/or unknown sources of wealth, including and especially many Russians?
Many of the same are now deemed to be a security issue due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and may have abused the scheme’s application process, but who developed, managed and oversaw compliance of the scheme for the government?
Just to point out the obvious, for example, Serbians require a visa to enter the US. Orban issues Hungarian passports to thousands of Serbians of Hungarian ethnicity and now those people can get around the visa requirement by using a Hungarian passport. The Hungarian government refused to disclose information about the people they issued passports to abroad. The end result is that the US did what it had to do by requiring Hungarians born abroad to apply for a visa.
The millions of bribes to the Biden crime family from all of Hungary neighbors really pissed them off and they are still in control – not sure if the money transfer is still working after being flagged by over 170 finacial instritutions
I’m still confused when one of the biggest projects is blown up and doesn’t even make the news and no one even cares who was responsible.- maybe you should ask pressman- maybe he doesn’t have a clearance that high- some second rate celeb is seen in Budapest and it dominates the news for days