North Korea urged to ‘make a deal’
In a significant softening of tone, Donald Trump has called on North Korea to come to the negotiating table and “make a deal” on its nuclear program.
Speaking in South Korea during his Asia tour, the U. S. president said Tuesday that he “hopes to God” that he never has to use military force against the regime.
Trump appeared to predict the standoff could be solved through talks, saying: “Ultimately it will all work out ... It always works out.” It marks a stark difference from his previous remarks, when he mocked the idea that North Korea could be dealt with diplomatically, and promised “fire and fury” as tensions escalated.
Trump’s latest comments were made alongside Moon Jae- in, the South Korean president who was elected in May on a platform of more engagement with the North.
Trump’s visit to Seoul, the South Korean capital, comes at a time of heightened tension over North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s drive toward nuclear weapons. Since taking office 10 months ago, Trump has dubbed him “rocket man” and said military action remains on the table to solve the dispute.
But the U. S. president toned down his rhetoric during a joint press conference with Moon, expressing hope the crisis can be solved through diplomatic means. “It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for the people of North Korea and for the world,” he said.
On using the U.S. military, Trump said: “We have many things happening that we hope ... in fact, I’ ll go a step further, we hope to God we never have to use.” And on the likelihood of success, he said: “I think we’re going to have lots of good answers for you over a period of time, and ultimately it will all work out ... It always works out. It has to work out!”
Trump will arrive in Beijing today for the trickiest part of his trip and is expected to urge China to do more on North Korea.
Trump warned China, pledging “very, very strong action” against countries that had been treating America “unfairly.”
China has traditionally been North Korea’s only diplomatic ally and a key trading partner. It suspended coal imports and enforced UN sanctions earlier this year after U. S. pressure, but supplies most of its energy. “China’s trying very hard to solve the problem with North Korea,” Trump said. “If we get China, if we get Russia ... we think that things will happen and they could happen very quickly.”
Trump has taken a tough stance on China’s trade protectionism, but there are signs of pushback from the Chinese government.
An editorial in China Daily, the state-run newspaper said: “Instead of criticizing his hosts, Trump should seek to promote co-operation.”