Tough Negotiations.
They were a staple of President Trump’s time as an executive and businessman and they have followed him all the way to the White House. Where predecessors have capitulated, the Trump Administration is proving a tough and apt negotiator when foreign leaders come knocking at the door.
Whether it be sitting down with the leaders of Mexico, Canada, China and Japan to negotiate fairer deals for American workers and farmers, traveling to Europe to put real and meaningful preconditions for the continued use of U.S. assistance dollars, dealing with the dysfunctional United Nations, or most recently using both the carrot and stick in dealing with North Korea and Iran, the President is changing America’s role in international affairs for the better.
This week we watched three Americans previously held captive in North Korea step back onto U.S. soil for the first time in years. Tony Kim & Kim Hak-Song joined President Trump on the tarmac at roughly 3 a.m. after landing back in the U.S., they had been held in North Korea for 12 months each. They were joined by Kim Dong Chul, an American who had been held in North Korea against his will for over 2 ½ years. What contrast. We all sadly remember the images of Otto Warmbier’s seemingly lifeless body being wheeled off a plane in Cincinnati, Ohio almost one year ago. While the tragedy of that situation only serves to further highlight the ruthlessness and brutality of a regime which continues to have little to no regard for the rule of law or basic human rights, what we witnessed this week was an important first step to what may very well serve as a larger conversation for saving the lives of millions of North Koreans, South Koreans and individuals around the globe.
This week we watched three Americans previously held captive in North Korea step back onto U.S. soil for the first time in years. Tony Kim & Kim Hak-Song joined President Trump on the tarmac at roughly 3 a.m. after landing back in the U.S., they had been held in North Korea for 12 months each. They were joined by Kim Dong Chul, an American who had been held in North Korea against his will for over 2 ½ years. What contrast. We all sadly remember the images of Otto Warmbier’s seemingly lifeless body being wheeled off a plane in Cincinnati, Ohio almost one year ago. While the tragedy of that situation only serves to further highlight the ruthlessness and brutality of a regime which continues to have little to no regard for the rule of law or basic human rights, what we witnessed this week was an important first step to what may very well serve as a larger conversation for saving the lives of millions of North Koreans, South Koreans and individuals around the globe.
A concession of this magnitude was an important moment clearing the way for meaningful and substantive talks about a denuclearized North Korea; talks which are set to occur between President Trump and the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, next month.
Also this week, roughly 4,000 miles away, another country has been posed with serious questions about their future.
Also this week, roughly 4,000 miles away, another country has been posed with serious questions about their future.
Iran’s continued pursuit of nuclear capabilities, development of weapons of catastrophic proportions, refusal to release held American hostages and aggressiveness towards important U.S. allies like Israel resulted in President Trump vacating the failed U.S. – Iran deal of 2015. It was a deal predicated with secret side deals not disclosed to the American public, a deal which allowed the nuclear ambitions of Iran to grow, and a deal which allowed for continued aggressive actions like the detaining of five new Americans in Iran since the deal’s signing.
With the end of that deal comes the reintroduction of crippling economic sanctions which will serve to isolate, deplete and place strain on the crumbling Iran economy - the same type of sanctions which have finally brought North Korea to the negotiating table. It is my sincere hope that any future deals with Iran would remove their ability to manufacture nuclear weapons today, tomorrow or years from now, as well as involve the release of the five American hostages they are still holding.
While some have characterized our President’s foreign affair philosophy as ‘predictably unpredictable’ or a doctrine of ‘maximum pressure’, one constant holds true, President Trump is a seasoned negotiator who brings a lifetime of business experience when he sits across the table from foreign leaders.
While some have characterized our President’s foreign affair philosophy as ‘predictably unpredictable’ or a doctrine of ‘maximum pressure’, one constant holds true, President Trump is a seasoned negotiator who brings a lifetime of business experience when he sits across the table from foreign leaders.
The tactics, persistence and follow-through of President Trump will once again be on the international world stage next week as the U.S. Embassy in Israel formally begins operating out of Jerusalem, an action one U.S. President after the next has promised to take, but failed to do. We have a long way to go in securing a denuclearized North Korea, peace in the Middle East and the return of more Americans unjustly held abroad, but this week was an important step and one we should all reflect upon.
12 comments:
I see my first comment was not allowed. I used a bad word, but sometimes a bad word is needed to emphasize a needed anger. "This week we watched 3 Americans, (2 WHICH WERE TAKEN UNDER THE THE TRUMP WATCH,) step back onto US soil for the first time in years. This is a total gloss over by Jason Smith. Tony Kim and Kim Hak-song wer taken last APRIL. Its not YEARS, its YEAR, as in 1 year ago. This is the same as a lie by Mr. Smith and deserves a harsh word. Shame on you Mr Smith!
And yes, we do remember Mr. Warbier. He was tortured and murdered by the same man that Trump claims treated the current prisoners well. The current prisoners claim otherwise, that they were forced to perform hard labor. The president himself has called out the NK leader for his treatment of his own people and even resorted to 7th grade name calling of the NK leader just months ago. Where you at on this, Congressman?
And lets not forget that Obama was roasted by John Bolton for paying off an owed debt to get prisoners released. For this administration to claim nothing was paid for the current release is total GARBAGE. Mr. Pompeo has promised financial aid to NK. How much are we talking Mr. Smith? Please tell. Also, 10 prisoner were released under Obama, but that is not worthy of comment now is it Mr. Smith?
I am beyond happy for the current release of these men, but the hypocrisy of Mr. Smith and the Trump Administration deserves to be called and, and maybe a little tough language in called for. You know how it is, Repubs like people that say whats their mind. Anything else is considered being a Snow Flake, remember?
7:15 - Darn, there you go using FACTS and reason again!
Thanks for the "rest of the story"
Anonymous 7:15 pm
No one’s going to take your prevarication if the worst President in our history ( Neville Chambetlain Iran)
because you hide behind cowardice of anonymity.
Than God Alinghty that we have President Trump to clean up this 8 years of disaster; shutter to think if lying crooked Hillary had one.
Now we’re handling both hot penensulas, Korea and Arabia, plus a booming economy at home.
Harvey HUTCHINSON 303-522-6622 voice&text
Trump had nothing to do with the coming agreement. This agreement was negotiated between North and South Korea, with South Korea taking the lead. That agreement has already been sanctioned by China and it is a done deal. All sides are willing to let Trump take credit for the agreement as long as he gets his troops our of South Korea and forces the American taxpayer to pick up North Korea's bills for the next decade.
Booming economy Harvey? What world do you live in?
Oh well if Harvey says so.
Reminder: "Booming economy at home" began under the previous administration.
This is new? "Now we’re handling both hot penensulas, Korea and Arabia,"
I could understand your personal attack if I had directed the same to you. But we all know the pattern here. When faced with something you have no sensible argument, you go with the cowardice of anonymity thing.
As long as you hide behind “anonymity “ we’ll never know if your argument means s anything
This anonymous thing is nothing new; the KU Klux Klan worked it to perfection I. The South 80 years ago.
My father fought it vehemently in Louidisna; and always taught me if you have to hide behind a Mandy you’re worthles
Harvey Hutchinson 303-522-6622 voice&text
Then your father must be rolling in his grave with your support of this oppressive administration.
And the president's moving the embassy in Israel has already resulted in how many deaths?
Could be a study in Chaos Theory where the devil's in the details.
The United States can put its Embassy where it belongs ( and promised by last 5 presidents, Republican and Democratic) Bipartisanship in Congress, not where Hamas and PLO try to dictate.
They attack Israel border with fire bombs, expect to get shot back at.
Harvey Hutchinson 303-522-6622 voice&text
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