President Donald Trump tried to use the prosecution of Meng Wanzhou as a bargaining chip in trade talks with China, his former national security adviser says, but the decision to seek the Huawei executive’s arrest was not politically motivated. Bolton said he told Trump the prosecution of Huawei and its high-profile chief financial officer Meng was key to U.S. national security interests and protecting the integrity of its financial markets. China has made clear that the detained Canadians could be released if Canada lets Meng go. The Star previously reported that Trudeau tried to persuade Trump he should secure the Canadians’ release if he gets a deal with China. Bolton writes that Trump’s administration is badly split between “China hawks,” “panda huggers” and “confirmed free-traders” but Trump’s priority was a better trade deal in order to wield the upper hand in military matters as well.

Source: thestar June 26, 2020 15:59 UTC