Trump invites North Korea to ‘make a deal’ on nuclear issue
US President suggests two powers ‘come to the table’ to settle nuclear tensions
Donald Trump stepped back from his usual “fire and fury” threats today and made a diplomatic appeal for North Korea to reach an agreement over nuclear issues.
“It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and to make a deal,” the US president said in a joint press conference with South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in today. “That’s good for the people of North Korea and the people of the world.”
Trump - who has previously sparked outrage by threatening to “totally destroy” North Korea and calling the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, “little rocket man” - said he “hoped to God” he would not have to use US military capabilities against North Korea, the BBC reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile, USA Today’s Jessica Lee says that “as the sole superpower, the United States can, and must, do more to de-escalate tension and give diplomacy a chance”.
Trump is on a 13-day tour of Asia, where he has made North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes a key issue. According to Politico, the president has asked Congress for another $4bn (£3bn) for missile defence to help counter the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Parker Palm Springs review: decadence in the California desert
The Week Recommends This over-the-top hotel is a mid-century modern gem
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The real story behind the Stanford Prison Experiment
The Explainer 'Everything you think you know is wrong' about Philip Zimbardo's infamous prison simulation
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Is it safe for refugees to return to Syria?
Talking Point European countries rapidly froze asylum claims after Assad's fall but Syrian refugees may have reason not to rush home
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Does Trump have the power to end birthright citizenship?
Today's Big Question He couldn't do so easily, but it may be a battle he considers worth waging
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Elon Musk about to disrupt British politics?
Today's big question Mar-a-Lago talks between billionaire and Nigel Farage prompt calls for change on how political parties are funded
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there's an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is the United States becoming an oligarchy?
Talking Points How much power do billionaires like Elon Musk really have?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'It's easier to break something than to build it'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published