As Hungary assumes its role in the EU Council presidency, it aims to 'de-escalate' trade tensions between the EU and China despite the European Commission distancing itself from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's recent Beijing visit. While Orbán pledges to promote EU-China relations during Hungary's presidency, the Commission asserts that he lacks the mandate to represent the entire EU.
Concerns arise as Hungary's diplomatic outreach to Russia and China is perceived by some EU member states as undermining the bloc's unity, especially with Budapest blocking military aid to Ukraine. Orbán's controversial 'peace missions' to Moscow, Kyiv, and Beijing have drawn harsh criticism from German foreign politicians, who view his actions as detrimental to the EU's common foreign and security policy.
As Hungary strives to balance its national interests with the role of a mediator in the EU Council presidency, questions linger regarding its impartiality and adherence to EU values, given its history of clashes with the bloc over policies.
