Trump’s ex-adviser John Bolton warns Republican ‘virus of isolationism’ helps China
- Bolton says Trump ‘doesn’t follow coherent policies; it’s all what in the moment benefits him’
- Beijing’s role in brokering peace between Saudi Arabia and Iran underscores the danger of isolationism, he says
John Bolton, who was national security adviser under former US president Donald Trump, warned on Thursday that Trump’s Republican Party was suffering from “a virus of isolationism” that could undermine Washington’s ability to defend Taiwan against a potential invasion by mainland China.
A long-time stalwart of the party, Bolton said in an online discussion hosted by the Foreign Press Association that a reluctance among some in the party to defend Ukraine against Russia and engage more in the Middle East hands Beijing more influence in those regions. A second Trump presidency, he said, would further those gains.
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Trump ‘pleaded’ for China to help him get re-elected, writes former US adviser Bolton in new book
“Within the Republican Party, let’s be clear, the virus of isolationism is unleashed again,” Bolton said, referring to Trump’s position as the front-running Republican nominee for next year’s presidential election.
