The White House roundly blamed China for foiling President Trump’s pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear crisis Wednesday, asserting that Beijing is using its influence over Pyongyang to gain leverage in ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.
“North Korea is under tremendous pressure from China because of our major trade disputes with the Chinese government,” the White House said in a statement, suggesting Chinese frustration with the disputes has driven Beijing to convince Pyongyang not to cooperate with Washington.
The statement separately said Mr. Trump has not intention — despite comments to the contrary this week by Defense Secretary James Mattis — to restart U.S.-South Korea military drills that the president halted in a show of “good faith” to Pyongyang following his June summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“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 spending large amounts of money on joint U.S.-South Korea war games,” the White House said, although it added that Mr. Trump “can instantly start the joint exercises again with South Korea, and Japan, if he so chooses,” and that “if he does, they will be far bigger than ever before.”
The statement, which appeared on Mr. Trump’s Twitter account, separately said the president has not intention — despite comments to the contrary this week by Defense Secretary James Mattis — to restart U.S.-South Korea military drills that he halted in a show of “good faith” to Pyongyang following his June summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.
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