Speaking on Friday, President Trump finally explained why he overruled the Treasury Department on a new round of sanctions against North Korea, saying he believes that there was no reason to impose new sanctions at this time.
“They are suffering greatly in North Korea,” Trump told reporters, saying that he believes it is important to maintain his personal relationship with Kim Jong Un ‘as long as you can,” and that meant new sanctions weren’t necessary.
Despite having the level of “great suffering” that the US seems to be shooting for already, Trump did say to reporters he retains the ability to add new sanctions against North Korea later if he feels its worthwhile, but that it won’t happen just now.
The new sanctions were fairly minimal at any rate, reflective of the reality that the US already forbids materially all economic activity within North Korea as it is. The new sanctions meant to target Chinese companies accused of buying coal originally mined in North Korea.
The administration has decided that what success they’ve achieved diplomatically with North Korea is because of the “maximum pressure” sanctions in place. This is a big reason why they oppose any sanctions relief, believing they will lose the leverage they have if the suffering eases.
Trump probably senses his Nobel Peace Prize slipping away.
Who cares? That award is forever tainted because of Obama winning it for absolutely no good reason.
Yeah, but if Obama got one Trump would want one too.
Its sort of an anti-principle.
Along with war criminal Kissinger.
Try reading why he was awarded the prize. It was for his efforts in the New Start treaty. I will criticize Obama as well as the rest, but his efforts on nuclear weapons is outstanding.
Oh please.
Please what ? Please dont make you read anything positive Obama did ?
You know damn well that’s not why he “won” the award.
Guess you would have to read it.
Relations on disarmament with Russia under Bush, was at 0. The nuclear modernization bill was originally brought under Bush, and was defeated by a democratic majority. Warhead counts were going up, and Bush was deploying anti missile systems around Russia to counter “the Iranian” threat. Obama went to work right away to as the trumpsters say, “to get along with Russia”.He was blasted by the right for doing so, (ironic eh) His efforts ended with the treaty, a good thing for the world. You are right, considering his whole tenure the prize looks stupid. But, you are gonna have to accept it for 2009, not the best choice, but, there was a reason.
I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic:
Obama’s Russian Rationale for $1 Trillion Nuke Plan Signals New Arms Race
Good, let’s go there. Obamas’ New Start treaty needed 2/3 Senate approval at a time the GOP had made pledges to give him no support for anything (except more war). In order to get the critical Start treaty passed, the GOP required passage of the modernization bill, and to continue deployment of anti missile systems in eastern Europe. Still, the right will never fail to assert the modernization was Obama’s when need be. Generally, START is about warhead reduction, the 15 modernization bill is about facility and vehicle maintenance and upgrades. Sorry, you want cause and effect for that pos bill, gonna have to look, as usual, the GOP.
Wow, the Don has empathy. Well at least for non Persians. Starve Iran.
Venezuela suffering, needs new sanctions.
Maybe he’s finally waking up to the fact that his advisors have a different agenda than his own administrations and potential legacy.
LOL, Trump caring about people suffering? It isn’t April 1st yet. This man cares only about himself. Look what this man is doing to Yemen via Saudi Arabia and look at what he is doing to the citizens of Venezuela with his crushing sanctions. Trump is a cruel man and has unfortunately surrounded himself with very cruel men like Bolton and Pompeo.
This is shockingly humanist of him, did they mention NK suffering on Fox & Friends?
If only he weren’t so scattershot, but then one needn’t wonder too hard which direction he’d lean if he were consistent.
They are suffering in North Korea but not enough in Venezuela and Iran.
YES! That’s why we need international democratic sanctions. So we can all suffer equally.
Listening to trump and his state department lie through their fn teeth in representation of this country has been and is very painful, thats what happens to empathetic people.
All men are created equal. But some are more equal than other.
Copy that Analyzer
I wonder if trump knows how sadistic he sounds.
“This is a big reason why they oppose any sanctions relief, believing
they will lose the leverage they have if the suffering eases”
it’s called Collective Punishment and is a crime against humanity
in a sane world these men (and women) who plan and execute any such policies would be rounded up, and put on trial for their lives. for all the misery they have caused in various nations in the world