Hungarian foreign minister slams ‘lecturing’ Biden admin, hopes for return to Trump-era
policy
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has taken a confrontational stance against the Biden administration, criticizing its “lecturing” policy towards Hungary. In a recent interview with a Hungarian radio station, Szijjarto expressed his hope that the US would eventually return to the Trump-era of cooperation and understanding.
Szijjarto noted that the Biden administration has disappointed Hungary with its tougher stance, while also acknowledging that the two countries had been able to connect during Joe Biden’s tenure as vice president. The foreign minister also praised Donald Trump and his team for their approach to the relationship, citing better communication and understanding. Szijjarto expressed his clear desire for a return to the previous state of affairs and called for the Hungarian-US relationship to be founded on mutual respect.
The comments by the Hungarian foreign minister come as tensions threaten to fracture the relationship between the US and Hungary. The Biden administration has been critical of Hungary’s declining democratic standards and its increasingly authoritarian stance on domestic issues, while also expressing reservations about the country’s closer ties to Russia and China. Szijjarto’s criticism indicates that Budapest is not in favor of the US’ harsher approach, and many Hungarians are hopeful that the two countries can rekindle the days of goodwill and friendship seen under the previous administration.