Foreign Affairs
Tillerson Calls On China To Dismantle Kim Jong-un’s Nuke And Missile Programs
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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called on China to be a part of a “new strategy” to rein in North Korea.
“We are hopeful china will find a way to have influence over North Korea to dismantle their nuclear weapons and their missile technology programs,” Tillerson said in Palm Beach, Florida Thursday afternoon. “Whether it’s using their authority on the UN Security Council or utilizing new levers of power, China can be part of a new strategy to end North Korea’s reckless behavior and ensure security, stability and economic prosperity in Northeast Asia.”
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North Korea has been increasingly provocative in recent weeks, firing multiple missiles, testing rocket engines, and potentially preparing for a sixth nuclear test.
President Donald Trump is preparing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Mar-a-Lago for the first time. The two leaders are expected to discuss a number of bilateral issues ranging from trade to the crisis on the Korean peninsula.
“We will pursue economic engagement with China that prioritizes the well-being of the American people,” Tillerson said Thursday. “We’re also looking to make progress with China on areas of foreign policy, those that serve our interests as well as the region’s.”
If China refuses to cooperate on North Korea, Trump has indicated that the U.S. will act unilaterally.
“China has great influence over North Korea,” the president told the Financial Times Sunday. “China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won’t. If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will.”
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