Donald Trump’s policy on Korea continued in the normal way this past week: giving concessions to the North and making absurd demands on the South. I assume the concessions to the North are because President Trump “loves” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and thinks that reaching an agreement with the North will cement his reputation as the greatest President ever – though I also assume President Trump already thinks he is. The demands on the South are because President Trump always thinks somebody is ripping us [him] off and doesn’t understand that foreign policy, and peace, is not a real estate deal or casino contract. More:
First, North Korea. Earlier this week, the U.S. and South Korea postponed a major training exercise that was set to begin on Monday. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said it was “an act of good will … and advancement of peace” but it was not a concession to the North. As if anybody believes that. The U.S. and South Korea cancelled defense exercises last year and nothing happened. Actually, that is not entirely true. When we had denuclearization talks with North Korea in October, the first meeting in seven months, North Korea walked out, accusing the U.S. of not making enough concessions. So, we postponed the military exercises this month. But it wasn’t a concession. (If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.) And, according to The Wall Street Journal, “A few hours after [Defense Secretary] Esper’s remarks, North Korea’s foreign ministry said the regime’s will to maintain diplomacy with the U.S. was shrinking.” The art of the deal, huh?
Both of these positions are part of the same misunderstanding by President Trump. The United States is not a business. Agreements with allies, or potential enemies, are not one-off business contracts. We are in it together with our friends and allies. Playing lovey-dovey with Kim Jong Un, while being a jerk with countries like South Korea is embarrassing – and dangerous. According to former Defense Secretary James Mattis, the Marines have a saying: “When you’re going to a gunfight, bring all your friends with guns.” In other words, if you get in a fight, the more allies you have, the better off you are. If President Trump is re-elected next year, who knows how many friends we will have left by January of 2025.
Comments