come on jg - maybe you're being deliberately obtuse here but you're not this stupid or naive...For the hysterical anti-Trumpers in the USA, the inherent part of diplomacy that is 'quid pro quo' is now an impeachable offense, apparently.
of course governments and their agents withhold money and other aid to advance u.s. policy interests. no problem there. when the president does it to advance his own partisan interests (e.g. to improve his chances of being reelected) it's a clear abuse of power.
indeed, it's problematic even if there's no quid pro quo - when the president invites china to investigate a political rival, he's using presidential authority to try to gain a partisan advantage. again, it's a clear abuse of that power.
alasdair
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