Trump’s threats are no big deal

Ethan Epstein,

The Weekly Standard: “President Trump is generating a lot of attention for his remark that the U.S. could ‘totally destroy North Korea’ in order to ‘defend (America) and its allies.’ But Trump’s threats aren’t that big a break from precedent: Back in 2016, President Obama said, ‘There are consequences to (North Korea’s) unlawful and dangerous actions.’ ... That’s not even taking into account the rhetoric about South Korea, Japan and the U.S. that North Korea issues almost daily.”

Jennifer Rubin, The Washington Post: “First, the utter incoherence at the heart of this administration’s foreign policy was summed up in his call for nationalism. ‘I will always put America first, just like you as the leaders of your countries — and should as the leaders of your countries — put your countries first.’ Selling selfishness at a time the United States is looking for allies to make sacrifices is comical. ... Second, the notion that the United Nations or our international dealings should be solely about sovereignty is false and undermines our own international efforts. ‘America first’ is a formula for domestic despotism around the world. If this is all about nationalism, on what basis does he call out Venezuela’s regime or have standing to complain about Iran’s dictatorial rulers?”

Matthew Cooper, Newsweek: “If you are an Obama-era internationalist with a deep faith in global alliances, (Trump’s U.N. speech) wasn’t what you wanted to hear. There was no call to rally against climate change or promote international trade agreements. On the other hand, with its commitment to foreign aid and international cooperation and its interventionist tone, it wasn’t a Steve Bannon speech, either. ... The president reaffirmed (U.S.) support for a number of George W. Bush–era programs aimed at reducing HIV and AIDS around the world and limiting human trafficking.”

Evan Osnos,

The New Yorker: “Chinese leaders have decided to increase pressure substantially but are not, and probably never will be, willing to help Trump strangle North Korea into submission. China doesn’t trust Kim Jong Un, but it trusts Trump even less. ... Intellectuals have taken to joking that Telangpu — one of the Chinese pronunciations of Trump’s name — sounds like te meipu, which means clueless or lacking a plan.”