Trump has put us at risk. 12A
Donald Trump rose to power by rejecting conventional wisdom about the importance of behaving with dignity, responsibility and thoughtfulness. But such behavior is dangerous on the world stage. Trump’s vow to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to meet “any more threats to the United States” with “fire and fury like the world has never seen,” was reckless and contrary to America’s best interests.
It amounted to a line in the sand that put Kim in a position to think he can control America’s next move. The war of words went on. Kim threatened a military strike against the U.S. territory of Guam. Trump tweeted about the strength of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
This sort of posturing alarms our allies and rivals in the region and escalates an already tense stand-off.
The point of statesmanship is to defuse tension in times of crisis to prevent the possibility of armed conflict.
Trump’s carelessness has incited fear and given leverage to China, which, as North Korea’s largest trading partner and benefactor, should be held accountable for enabling Kim’s bad behavior.
China had agreed to tighten UN sanctions on North Korea in response to the missile testing, but these sanctions are not likely to be much more effective than previous efforts unless China stops supporting North Korea.
Trump’s comments gave China the chance to deflect responsibility and lecture the United States on diplomacy.
When asked about Trump’s “fire and fury” comment, China’s Foreign Ministry said the challenges of North Korea should be handled through political means and that “all relevant parties” should avoid “remarks and acts that may escalate the conflict,” according to the New York Times.
It’s a sad day when the Chinese Communist regime scolds the United States and the world nods in agreement.
It’s one thing for North Korea to rattle nuclear swords on the week of the 72nd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The world has low expectations for the petulant Kim Jong Un.
But when the leader of the free world indulges in that kind of talk, it sends shock waves through Japan and the rest of the world. It also forces the White House into defense mode and the kind of peculiar clean-up we heard from U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who explained the president sent a “strong message to North Korea in language that Kim Jong Un would understand.”
The world looks to the United States for a steady, predictable hand. Trump’s habit of firing off incendiary statements fosters instability.
Maybe Trump hoped his smackdown would tame North Korea’s volatile leader.
And, yes, Kim might be rational enough to back off in the face of Trump’s threat.
Kim may also just back up enough to make his next provocation more dramatic.
Or maybe he’ll call Trump’s bluff and launch an attack.
Arizona Sen. John McCain put it into perspective: “I take exception to the president’s comments because you’ve got to be sure that you can do what you say you’re going to do,” he told Phoenix radio station KTAR. “The great leaders I’ve seen don’t threaten unless they’re ready to act, and I’m not sure President Trump is ready to act.” But Kim may be. Kim has demonstrated a disregard for human rights and human life — including the life of his own half brother, Kim Jong Nam, who South Korean authorities say was brazenly poisoned with a deadly nerve agent on order of Kim Jong Un.
Including the life of American student Otto F. Warmbier, who was brutalized in a North Korean prison, returned to his parents in a coma and died in June.
Including the lives of 46 sailors aboard a South Korean navy ship that international investigators say was sunk by a North Korean submarine in March.
Kim test-fired two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July, and reports say North Korea now has the ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead to fit on top of a missile.
North Korea’s leader has ambitions to build a nuclear arsenal that can menace the United States. This significant threat needs to be contained through planned, coordinated international efforts.
The United States should be leading that effort, not playing a game of chicken.
It’s unlikely that Trump will engage in some needed introspection and take a hard look at the fallout — so far — from his careless comments and tweets.
But he should. It’s long past time for him to treat the job of president with the seriousness it demands.