Everyone knows that one of Trump’s favorite negotiating tactics is to create leverage by taking hostages. We also know he has no respect for the rule of law. As a result, he is openly willing to intervene in the judicial system in favor of lawbreaking foreign companies and individuals in exchange for other trade advantages.
In light of this, is it any surprise that the Chinese, Russians, and Turks have used their respective law enforcement processes to take hostages, to be used as bargaining chips with us? They’ve probably read “The Art of the Deal,” too.