How will the Biden presidency affect Hungary?
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During the Trump presidency, an open and flexible approach characterised the US policy towards Central and Eastern Europe. However, under Biden’s presidency, the thinking typical of the Obama administration may return. This can have a serious impact on Hungary as well, as the next ambassador will be appointed by Biden.
The presidential administration of Joe Biden is expected to continue Barack Obama’s foreign policy. This focuses more on global issues as a whole, unlike the flexible, region-specific approach of the Trump administration, Gábor Csizmadia of the University of Public Service told Index.
Trump’s administration treated Central and Eastern Europe within the framework of its so-called “fight for hearts and minds” idea, and its foreign policy was openly a geopolitical power competition. Washington’s goal was to entice their partners on their side politically. This is what required the flexibility already mentioned, the researcher said.
According to Gábor Csizmadia, if Biden continues Obama’s foreign policy, the US could treat Europe as a whole, therefore Hungary and its region might receive less attention.
Of course, this is not necessarily true, as it depends on what domestic and foreign policy advisers Biden surrounds himself with and who the Secretary of State for European Affairs will be.
A Democratic presidency is best received in Western Europe, especially in Berlin, which generally has better relations with Democrats.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not get on well with Donald Trump. Trump, who will leave office in January, has ordered the withdrawal of thousands of US troops from Germany without checking with Berlin.
One possibility is that small countries in the region will receive less attention, and ideological expectations over practical cooperation will be imposed. The other possibility is that Biden will pay special attention to Central and Eastern Europe.
The Council of the European Union has ministers from each member country. Hungary is no more and less represented than any other country. Each member has one seat at The Council. Under the umbrella of The Council there are 10 comittees one of which is to deal with Foreign Policy. Once again, Hungary has equal representation on these committees. Thus it is quite logical for the US to deal with the Council in matters of importance. Bi-lateral ‘deals’ with individual member states are not permitted, for obvious reasons.