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Source: Getty

In The Media

DPRK Tensions

The Trump administration’s willingness to speak out on the North Korea nuclear issue and pressure Beijing on the same topic privately represents a break from the approach of past administrations.

Link Copied
By Douglas H. Paal
Published on Apr 17, 2017

Source: CGTN

Speaking on CGTN, Carnegie’s Douglas H. Paal argued that the Trump administration’s approach to the North Korea nuclear issue represents a break from the approach of past administrations. While other presidents were unwilling to combine high-profile public rhetoric with intense private pressure on Beijing to resolve the issue, this appears to be the President Trump’s preferred set of tactics, at least so far.

Paal also explained that, although the administration is committed publicly to total denuclearization, they still have yet to make decisions on important issues like whether the United States is willing to accept a freeze at current levels of nuclear capabilities in return for sanctions relief and other forms of aid.

Paal noted that if the two sides were to enter into a direct negotiation, the North would likely begin by demanding many politically infeasible concessions from the other side. He argued that the United States and its allies should recognize this and put together a feasible counteroffer before the negotiations begin.  

This interview was broadcast at CGTN.

About the Author

Douglas H. Paal

Distinguished Fellow, Asia Program

Paal previously served as vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase International and as unofficial U.S. representative to Taiwan as director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

    Recent Work

  • Paper
    America’s Future in a Dynamic Asia

      Douglas H. Paal

  • Q&A
    U.S.-China Relations at the Forty-Year Mark
      • +1

      Douglas H. Paal, Tong Zhao, Chen Qi, …

Douglas H. Paal
Distinguished Fellow, Asia Program
Douglas H. Paal
SecurityForeign PolicyNuclear PolicyNorth AmericaUnited StatesEast AsiaSouth KoreaChinaNorth Korea

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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