Former President Donald Trump is reportedly mulling over a radical change in his North Korea strategy should he win the 2024 elections.
What Happened: According to insiders privy to Trump’s plans, he is weighing a strategy that would permit Kim Jong Un to keep North Korea’s nuclear weapons while offering financial incentives to prevent the creation of new ones, Politico reported.
Trump is highly motivated to get an agreement with Pyongyang, said one of the sources. "He knows he wants a deal," this person added.
"What type of deal? I don't think he has thought that through."
This strategy stands in stark contrast to the longstanding U.S. policy that demands the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
During his time in office, Trump fostered an unexpectedly cordial relationship with the North Korean leader. The potential pivot in Trump’s policy is driven by his intent to circumvent protracted and fruitless arms negotiations and, instead, concentrate on countering China.
As part of his proposed strategy, Trump aims to convince North Korea to halt further development of its nuclear program in return for economic concessions and other forms of assistance. A verification mechanism would be set up to confirm North Korea’s adherence to the agreement.
Why It Matters: Trump’s potential policy alteration might ring alarm bells among allies and fellow Republicans favoring a more hardline approach towards North Korea. His stance on North Korea also underscores his optimism in clinching the Republican nomination and his sustained interest in issues that were pivotal to his presidency.
The shift in Trump’s policy towards North Korea is significant considering his history of diplomatic engagement with the country during his presidency. The proposed plan, if implemented, could alter the geopolitical dynamics in the region by legitimizing North Korea’s nuclear status. However, it could also spur opposition domestically, with critics arguing that it undermines the goal of nuclear nonproliferation.
Meanwhile, Trump, in a Truth Social post, refuted the claims. Trump wrote, "This is a made up story, DISINFORMATION, put out by Democrat Operatives in order to mislead and confuse. The only thing accurate in the story is that I do get along well with Kim Jong Un!"
Photo courtesy TPYXA_ILLUSTRATION via Shutterstock
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