John Bolton on Trudeau, Canada's tensions with China and not voting for Trump

John Bolton may no longer be part of the Trump administration or even a supporter of the president but the former U.S. national security adviser still believes in the country's clout on the world stage, which he says is being used to back upCanada amidtensions with China.

"The negative consequences caused by the Trump presidency can be overcome," he saidin an interview with The National's Adrienne Arsenault, noting however that the "position of the United States in the world has not fundamentally changed."

"Those who are anti-American will pick on Trump as an example of America in decline, and they would be wrong."

Boltonwas firedby Donald Trump in September and has since authored a book about his time in the White House

He saidthe U.S. is still a force to be reckoned with, and that the country will be invaluable in efforts to secure the release ofMichael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadiansdetained in China as what Bolton calledretaliation for Canada arrestingHuaweiexecutive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the U.S.

"Obviously, they were picking on Canada rather than arresting American citizens. That tells you a lot about the character of that regime," Boltonsaid.

"This is why we're concerned about Huawei and [Chinese telecommunications company]ZTE to begin with. They are arms of the state of China, they're not commercial telecommunications firms in the sense that we in the West understand it and they have a much larger mission than good telephone connections.

"So when they put pressure on a small country like Canada, it's important for all of us to stand together and present a united front."

WATCH |U.S. standing behind Canada on China arrests, says Bolton:

U.S. standing behind Canada on China arrests

4 years ago

Duration 1:28

John Bolton says the U.S. is standing behind Canada after two Canadians were detained in China.

Bolton said he thought of advice from within the administrationto Trudeau to stand firm on Meng's extraditionnot as pressure, but as the U.S. reassuringCanada "we weren't going to let the Chinese get away with this."

He also noted Canada's relationship with the U.S. has been strained under Trump but will remain strong, and he commendedJustin Trudeau for the prime minister's "responsible" interactions with the president.

"It's not easy for any foreign leader, especially from American allies, to deal with this anomalous president," he said. "The fundamental relations between two countries really do transcend the vagaries, even of an election of a national leader."

WATCH |Bolton commends Trudeau's 'responsible' behaviour with Trump:

Bolton commends Trudeau's 'responsible' behaviour with Trump

4 years ago

Duration 1:27

John Bolton says it's not easy for foreign leaders to work with Trump and commended Justin Trudeau's 'responsible' interactions with the president.

When it comes time to cast a ballot inthe upcoming presidential election, Bolton said he'snot going to vote for Trump nor for his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

"I'm going to write in a conservative Republican. I think that's the philosophically right thing to do," he said,acknowledgingthat some people who voted for Trump in 2016 or didn't vote at all will vote for Biden.

"I respect that choice but that's not mine.

"For a conservative Republican and I've been one since I was 15 and handing out leaflets for Barry Goldwater this is not a happy time."