As opposed to our significant differences with the current Democratic administration, we, Hungarian conservatives and the Orbán government, stand on common ground with the Republican Party on an increasing number of issues. Hungary’s public policy measures are often flatteringly viewed as exemplary by the GOP. In this article I aim to discuss the remaining points of disagreement that appear to be irresolvable for now.
What do we agree on? Family, nation, religion, values, migration, and economy. These are the areas of our domestic and social life that we do not want interfered with, and the ones on which we do not see eye to eye with the Democrats in the US.
However, there are areas where Hungarian conservatives are at odds with some stances of the Republican Party, too. There are issues we have with US foreign policy stances, including ideological colonialism, democracy export, economic disengagement, the increasingly strained relations with the Global South (as Western countries nowadays refer to the formerly colonized part of the world), and some attitudes to the war in Europe. These topics are of utmost importance to us. To preserve our friendship, it is important that the Hungarian position be heard.
As a matter of fact, it is not indifferent at all for Hungary who is at the helm of the United States of America. It is not by chance that our conservative government has supported President Trump from the beginning. We are a small, economically open country that is an integral member of the Western alliance system, but at the same time, with expanding economic ties to Asia. US foreign policy can significantly impact our opportunities and economy, as has been demonstrated in 2008 and 2009 as well as in 2022.
The way we conservatives see it,
it is historically evident that peace between the East and the West, the South and the North is beneficial for all
and the previous US administration, under Trump, saw it that way, too and achieved this peace. Any additional ideological or personal agreements/disagreements and sympathies are secondary to this.
In addition to his positive foreign policy track record, Donald Trump often promises in his public speeches on his current campaign trail to bring peace to Ukraine and Israel, and restore global security once elected president again. Therefore, it is clear that for Hungary, Trump is the number one choice as the ideal leader of the free world from the point of view of global peace.
It is important to note that the GOP is not synonymous with Trump. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose fitness for the position has been questioned again after embarrassing freeze-up episodes, expressed his agreement with Biden’s war policy on Ukraine in a recent interview. And McConnell is not the only member of his party to hold this position.
It is unclear whether Trump will be able to pursue pacifist geopolitics if the pro-war establishment GOP hawks do not support him.
Moreover, in order to rally support for the continued support of Kyiv, the current Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, recently claimed that 90 per cent of the security funds for Ukraine have been spent in the US, generating jobs and economic growth. He called it a ’win-win’ situation that should be continued.
And this is THE statement that raises concerns about conflict of interest and fault lines. It may be appealing to American taxpayers across the board, and advance American interests, as well as strengthen the pro-war camp. However, it may cause Hungarian and other European taxpayers to feel uneasy. It is important to consider the impact of a prolonged war on our economiess, psyche, and overall well-being. Unfortunately, it appears that for Washington, war is a profitable business that will continue as long as it remains profitable, with little regard for the rest of the world.
It seems that Hungary, as the virtually only country advocating for peace and a ceasefire in the Russo-Ukrainian war, has the impossible job of persuading the Washington administration and the hawkish Republicans to prioritize common sense and humanity over money and short-sighted geopolitical interests, to prevent Europe from becoming impoverished. Furthermore, it may appear paradoxical that a conservative, patriotic politician like Trump should be the one to convince the American public to adopt a pro-peace stance when war is viewed as promoting American national interests. While peace would be beneficial for us Hungarians, war appears to be advantageous for the United States. And to become president, Trump must do what the majority of voters want and what is in America’s best interest. Unfortunately, the numbers are not in favour of the pro-peace side. A majority of Americans would still support the war and send military aid to Kyiv. Only 41 per cent of Americans believe that the current aid is excessive, and
only 55 per cent of Republican voters would like to end the war as soon as possible.
The current situation does not inspire optimism. However, Donald Trump’s campaign tactics appear to be more astute and sophisticated than ever before, and he has a history of achieving unexpected results. The trend in public opinion is shifting towards peace and a reduction in aid for the war effort. President Trump may probably count on the pro-peace masses in the United States, in the long run. It may be a ’long shot’, but if he is right, he may become the most credible candidate and this could be his secret weapon that ensures his return to the White House. As Hungarians, it is also our only sensible choice, but it is also our duty as Christians to do everything in our power stop the war machine that is causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and destroying the lives of millions. An immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations are needed, now.
