Trump discusses North Korea with China and Japan

President Donald Trump on Sunday spoke with leaders of China and Japan to discuss concerns about the dangers posed by North Korea.

Late Sunday, the White House released readouts of Trump's phone calls with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The difference in the phrasing of the two readouts suggested the difference in the bilateral relationships between the countries, with the Japanese statement clearly built on a closer connection.

From the Japan statement: "The two leaders exchanged views on the growing threat from North Korea, including their unity with respect to increasing pressure on the regime to change its dangerous path. They reaffirmed that the United States-Japan Alliance stands ready to defend and respond to any threat or action taken by North Korea."

From the China statement: "President Trump raised the growing threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a denuclearized Korean Peninsula."

The statements concluded with a mention of the upcoming G-20 summit in Europe. Both readouts ended the same way: "They look forward to meeting at the G-20 in Hamburg, Germany."

The president last week said that he had talked with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea about the potential North Korean threat, which is believed to include the possibility of nuclear weapons being unleashed on Seoul or elsewhere. Trump said Friday: “The North Korean dictatorship has no regard for the safety and security of its people or its neighbors and has no respect for human life."



Politico