all about alliances
Trump to embark on five-nation trip to Asia to strengthen resolve against North Korea
The White House has announced a five-nation tour for President Trump, in response to growing tensions with North Korea. Between Nov. 3 and Nov. 14, Trump will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, to gather support for the "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," a White House press release stated.
The trip will build upon previous talks of denuclearization from the administration. Tensions rose with Pyongyang on Monday when North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho threatened to shoot down American military planes — regardless of whether they flew into North Korea's airspace — after feeling provoked by one of Trump's tweets.
While the trip will make North Korea's denuclearization a priority, Trump will also focus on strengthening economic ties in the region. He will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, planning to emphasize the importance of free trade at the engagements.