North Korea a Shared Strategic Concern for the U.S. and Australia
Kevin Rudd on MSNBC
On May 4, 2017, Asia Society Policy Institute President Kevin Rudd spoke with Greta Van Susteren on MSNBC about U.S.-Australia relations and the North Korean nuclear program, ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and President Donald Trump in New York.
“Being an ally of the United States in East Asia and the West Pacific doesn’t come for free,” Rudd said, pointing to North Korea’s recent announcement that Australia, along with the United States, would be targeted by its nuclear program. Rudd explained that “North Korea has issued statements critical of Australia many times in the past because of our historical alliance with the U.S.”
In addition to the longevity of their alliance, Rudd stressed that the two countries “share a baseline strategic concern” when it comes to North Korea and therefore need to have “a combined diplomacy” on the issue. Prime Minister Turnbull and President Trump will have to look at “what‘s the practical menu of possibilities that can be deployed by China in relation to Pyongyang on energy exports to North Korea, on financial contacts with North Korea, and on the importation of North Korean coal.” (4 min., 2 sec.)