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Leaked information suggests Trump plans to take strategic approach to North Korea by 2025
Donald Trump, president-elect of the United States, considers resuming direct dialogue with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in an attempt to de-escalate nuclear tensions. The idea comes as part of a renewed diplomatic effort to avoid a possible armed conflict, according to sources close to the transition team, Reuters.
Could Trump meet with the North Korean leader again?
Trump officials believe a direct approach could be the key to breaking the impasse with Pyongyang. Trump's relationship with Kim, marked by insults and complimentary letters during the Republican's first term, has left the door open for new talks.
While there is no final decision on the next steps, analysts say Trump intends to re-establish a basic channel of communication with North Korea. However, more pressing issues, such as the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, could divert attention from Washington's foreign policy.
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current context
Since Trump’s departure from office in 2021, Kim Jong Un has strengthened his nuclear arsenal and forged closer ties with Russia, making the environment even more challenging. During the Biden administration, Pyongyang has ignored invitations to hold talks without preconditions, and Kim recently said that U.S. provocations have increased the risk of nuclear war.
Recent research has revealed that North Korea has expanded its production facilities for short-range missiles, which have been used by Russia in the Ukraine conflict. In addition, there are fears that the exchange of military technology between Moscow and Pyongyang could fuel regional and global tensions.
Trump's diplomatic legacy
During his first term, Trump was the first US president to set foot on North Korean soil. He held three historic meetings with Kim, in Singapore, Hanoi and at the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Despite expectations, these summits failed to produce any advances concrete.
While the US demanded complete denuclearization of North Korea, Kim insisted on full relief of economic sanctions. The standoff resulted in renewed threats and an intensification of hostile rhetoric.
Still, Trump and his allies see direct diplomacy as the best way to influence Pyongyang’s behavior. “My experience with Trump is that he is more willing to engage directly,” said Senator Bill Hagerty.
Challenges for the new strategy
In addition to confronting a militarily strengthened North Korea, Trump must deal with deteriorating bilateral relations between the US and China. In his last meeting with President Xi Jinping, Biden called on Beijing to exert its influence over Kim.
However, with Trump promising more aggressive tariffs on Chinese goods and choosing figures known for their tough stance on China, such as Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, the path to cooperation appears limited.
Russia's involvement in the equation adds an extra layer of complexity. According to reports, thousands of North Korean troops may be sent to support Russia in Ukraine, while nuclear technologies may be shared.
Trump's strategy towards North Korea in his first term
Donald Trump’s administration (2017-2021) brought an unusual and polarizing approach to diplomacy with North Korea. Characterized by a combination of aggressive rhetoric, stringent economic sanctions, and unprecedented direct meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Trump’s strategy stood out for its departure from the traditional methods employed by previous administrations. Here is a detailed overview of the actions and policies adopted:
1. Rhetorical Escalation and “Fire and Fury”
Early in his term, Trump adopted an aggressive stance toward North Korea. In 2017, when Pyongyang stepped up its nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, Trump threatened to respond with “fire and fury like the world has never seen.” This approach heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, leading many to fear a military escalation.
2. Maximum pressure: Economic sanctions and isolation
The “maximum pressure” policy was central to Trump’s plan. The administration worked with allies and international organizations to impose severe economic sanctions on North Korea, seeking to stifle its economy, which relies on exports such as coal and textiles. In addition, Trump pressured China, Pyongyang’s main trading partner, to reduce its economic ties with the North Korean regime.
3. Unprecedented diplomacy: Historic meetings with Kim Jong-un
Despite his initial rhetoric, Trump surprised the world by becoming the first sitting US president to meet in person with a North Korean leader. Between 2018 and 2019, he held three meetings with Kim Jong-un:
- Singapore (2018): The first meeting resulted in a general agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but lacked practical details.
- Hanoi (2019): The talks failed due to disagreements over lifting sanctions and concrete steps towards denuclearization.
- Demilitarized zone (2019): Trump briefly crossed into North Korean territory, symbolizing his willingness to engage in dialogue.
While the meetings were historic, they did not result in significant progress toward denuclearization or normalization of relations.
4. Results and criticism
The results of Trump’s strategy have been mixed. On the one hand, the approach has opened a new avenue of communication with North Korea and averted a potential war during a period of heightened tension. On the other, critics say the meetings have legitimized Kim Jong-un without securing concrete concessions, such as reducing the North’s nuclear arsenal.
Furthermore, despite the sanctions, North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear and ballistic capabilities, indicating that the “maximum pressure” was not enough to force structural changes
The next chapter in the US-North Korea relationship
Despite the challenges, the appointment of Alex Wong, a former State Department official who helped negotiate previous meetings with Kim, as deputy national security adviser signals that Trump intends to revisit his engagement strategy.
It remains to be seen whether North Korea will be willing to give ground on any point, or whether Kim’s stance will remain unyielding. Either way, Trump appears determined to confront the issue head-on, as he did when he first took office in 2017.
With his inauguration scheduled for January, Trump will have little time to reassess a foreign policy that is fraught with challenges. The possibility of renewed dialogue with Kim Jong Un could represent a unique opportunity to ease tensions, but success will depend on a strategic approach and the willingness of both sides to compromise. The world is closely watching the next moves in this delicate relationship.
Congratulations to the Brazilian and Chinese governments, this day was already expected, the union of two very important countries for world peace...along with Russia among other nations.
Trump, you can, and will deceive several governments around the world, for example: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Arab countries, some in Europe, Israel, among others, but North Korea, (Kim) Pyongyang, you will NOT, forget it, good luck…