Trump, according to Bolton, dismissed Chinese human rights abuses in its western Xinjiang province and in Hong Kong. He also downplayed the importance of U.S. obligations to Taiwan, Bolton writes.
“Although it came in several variations, one of Trump’s favorite comparisons was to point to the tip of one of his Sharpie [marker’s] and say, ‘this is Taiwan,’ then point to [his desk in the Oval Office] and say, ‘this is China.’ So much for American commitments and obligations to another democratic ally,” Bolton writes.