U.S. Sending Mixed Messages on North Korea
Lindsey Ford on MSNBC
WATCH: @lindseywford
— ASPI (@AsiaPolicy) September 27, 2017
joined @MSNBC to discuss the war of words between Donald Trump and #NorthKoreahttps://t.co/wTnGRnIau9
On September 26, 2017, ASPI’s Lindsey Ford spoke with Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle on MSNBC about North Korea’s threats to the United States and the mixed messages in the U.S. government response.
Ford highlights the conflicting rhetoric President Trump and his administration have issued in response to North Korea’s threats. Though members of the administration have repeatedly emphasized that they are going to “solve this diplomatically,” President Trump has not stuck to the same theme. He has been provocative in his tweets and public statements, even stating that he will “destroy North Korea” if necessary. Ford worries that the mixed messages to the North Koreans “undermine this administration’s strategy because it makes it confusing to know what their real intentions are.”
Ultimately, Ford states that instead of paying attention to the rhetoric, the U.S. needs to focus on working with allies and partners to combat North Korea. Regarding China in particular, Ford recommends that both sides disengage from their “war of words” and do more to act together on the North Korea nuclear challenge. (5 min., 12 sec.)