I'm not surprised that you didn't just call it "whataboutism" like a normal, unpretentious person, because you clearly don't understand what the "tu quoque" fallacy is. I'm not irrationally attempting to discredit your argument against Lebron by pointing out your hypocrisy on this issue, I'm AGREEING with your opinion on Lebron while also pointing out your hypocrisy. If you are going to get mad at basketball players for bowing to China, you should expect your favorite political representatives to stand up to China, too. Did you read the next sentence after the one you quoted from the WaPo article?
"Yet last month, in advance of the anticipated trade talks at the Group of 20 summit in Japan, Mr. Pence postponed his follow-up critique. The Trump administration has pitted economic policy against human rights protections, and trade deals have won."
So Pence spoke forcefully on this issue, then promptly caved in order to help his boss find a way out of the unnecessary tariff war mess they created. What brave leadership!
Well, you know, ideally conservatives would also want to promote democracy and civil rights on the world stage, as they have done historically based on a recognition that it is in our long-term national security interests to do so, but I understand that many Trump supporters no longer believe in those values.