President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that if talks in North Korea fail, not only will joint military exercises be taken up once again, they will be “bigger than ever before.”
The president made the announcement in a series of tweets in which he also laid the blame on China for slow-walking progress — with regard to further negotiations on North Korea’s denuclearization — because of current trade and tariff disputes with the U.S.
STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
President Donald J. Trump feels strongly that North Korea is under tremendous pressure from China because of our major trade disputes with the Chinese Government. At the same time, we also know that China is providing North Korea with…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
…considerable aid, including money, fuel, fertilizer and various other commodities. This is not helpful! Nonetheless, the President believes that his relationship with Kim Jong Un is a very good and warm one, and there is no reason at this time to be spending large amounts…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
…of money on joint U.S.-South Korea war games. Besides, the President can instantly start the joint exercises again with South Korea, and Japan, if he so chooses. If he does, they will be far bigger than ever before. As for the U.S.–China trade disputes, and other…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
…differences, they will be resolved in time by President Trump and China’s great President Xi Jinping. Their relationship and bond remain very strong.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
Stressing a positive relationship between the White House and both Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the president’s statement projected confidence in an eventual agreement that would benefit all involved — but he left the door open, noting that a failure to reach such an accord could result in additional military exercises.
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