Trump should show ‘Art of the Deal’ side
People need to hear from the “The Art of the Deal” author when President Trump makes his upcoming trip to South Korea.
Trump has made headlines and dominated political conversations with his bombastic style during his first year in office. He often seems to be in perpetual campaign mode, always on the attack and allowing every thought to become a tweet.
That style plays well on his own turf and with his supporters, who like his blunt, tough talk.
However, it will not be well-received during his Korean trip, where he will have an entirely different audience and higher stakes. While the term “regional conflict” sounds fairly benign in the American heartland, it is a very scary and apocalyptic phrase when you live in that region, and you are concerned for the survival of yourself and your family.
I am among those with a vested interest in the president’s upcoming visit. South Korea is my homeland. I attended school there through the age of 18, and I have family members still living there.
Right now, people in South Korea are split in their feelings. Some believe in peace, diplomacy and negotiation toward North Korea. The progressive South Korean government under President Moon Jae-in is sympathetic toward the North and believes in engagement, convinced that, if the North experiences democracy, then democracy will win out. There was even an offer to share venues during the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Others take a harder-line stance toward the North and feel a need to be ready for military action. It is somewhat similar to the hawks-vs.-doves analogy in the United States. As with most situations, the best approach probably is in between. While diplomacy is the best course of action, I am not sure you can sell democracy to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
If I were advising President Trump, I would encourage him to find that middle ground with a message of strength and of hope. He should emphasize that North Korea needs to abide by the international standards of non-nuclear proliferation.
Beyond that, the president should avoid mentioning nuclear weapons and tests. North Korea is not going to give up its nuclear weapons. North Korea is becoming a nuclear country, whether or not the United States wants to admit it. These weapons give Kim Jong Un stature. Further, North Korea’s leaders see what is happening with the Iranian arms deal and are in no mood to negotiate a nuclear deal with the Trump administration.
Instead, Trump should state that the United States does not want to see a conflict in East Asia, but, if fighting breaks out, we will be there to defend our allies. However, he needs to be vague enough in his comments to not definitely mean military action. Japan and South Korea will then see that America will back them, China will not feel threatened, and the United States will retain its leadership role in looking to settle regional disputes.
If Trump truly is the master of the art of the deal, he should bring that to the Korean situation. Be that guy. Stop exchanging words, and cut a deal that stems the madness.
In all, Trump needs to be diplomatic with his words and savvy with his actions. Say the right things, and do not back Kim Jong Un into a corner. When he feels he is losing face, Kim Jong Un becomes more dangerous. Although Trump is glib with the nicknames, this is not the time for the president to trump his “Rocket Man” sobriquet for the North Korean leader. North Korea is desperate for food, fuel and money. Much can be accomplished through back channels.
The president has an historic opportunity before him. Trump the deal-broker needs to replace Trump the name-caller in Korea.