European policymakers are warily awaiting a U.S. presidential election that could determine whether an escalation in trade tensions with Washington is coming, or a truce. Two announcements last week have reignited trans-Atlantic trade fears that had been tamped down earlier this year.

Ahead of America’s pivotal elections on Nov. 3., Hungary is a cautionary tale about power grabs from elected leaders. As Hungary shows, elections can serve as triggering events for democratic breakdowns, opening opportunities for incumbent leaders that can quicken a country’s transition to authoritarianism.