Rationalizing Donald Trump’s Messages to North Korea During His Asia Trip
![U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One for travel to Hawaii, on his way to an extended trip to five countries in Asia, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S. November 3, 2017.](http://cdn.cfr.org/sites/default/files/styles/slide_3_2/public/image/2017/11/RTS1IBSA.webp)
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Donald Trump’s visit to Asia will put in the spotlight one of the biggest problems that has beset his administration’s policy toward North Korea. On the one hand, Trump is expected to provide assurances to Japanese and South Korean allies that the United States will fulfill its defense commitments in the face of North Korea’s expanding nuclear and missile capabilities. On the other hand, Trump must simultaneously convey the urgency and resolve necessary to squeeze North Korea and to face down Pyongyang’s direct nuclear threats toward the United States.
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