Tillerson on North Korea
Posted on: October 16th, 2017
By: Eli Watkins
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has confirmed that the United States' will continue diplomatic efforts in dealing with the hostile North Korea. Tillerson will was quoted saying "Those diplomatic efforts will continue until the first bomb drops," implying that he believes that nuclear warfare could be imminent.
What was most surprising to read was that Trump agrees with Tillerson, wanting to resolve this issue diplomatically. Tillerson said, "[Trump] is not seeking to go to war" and that avoiding violence is his preferred avenue.
Trump, however, has Tweeted some contradicting things in regards to Tillerson's comments. While the Secretary of State was in Beijing, trying to cool tensions with North Korea, Trump said that Tillerson "was wasting his time" and also threatening to "totally destroy the isolated nation." Despite this lack of certainty regarding US Policy towards North Korea, Tillerson assures the public that China "is not confused in any way" and is aware of how the United States intends to deal with North Korea.
As precautionary measures, the United States has begun taking part in joint naval drills in the water of South Korea. According to Kim Kwang Hak, a researcher at the Institute for American Studies of the North Korean Foreign Ministry, this has hardened the determination of the rogue that the "US shouold be tamed with fire" and has lead North Korea to move [their] hand closer to the 'trigger'."
Questions:
1. Do you think it's healthy that the President and his Secretary of State contradict each other so often on such a serious matter? What could be some potential repercussions of this issue?
2. What do you think Trump actually thinks is the best way to deal with North Korea? Is he just putting on a show to prove his manliness or is Tillerson lying?
I think that it is very concerning that POTUS and the Secretary of State are contradicting each other about North Korea. Nuclear war is a dangerous subject and our government should be a united front. We don't want Tillerson vying for a diplomatic option when Trump is in full-blown tweeting @littlerocketman. Not a good way to start WWIII
ReplyDeleteIt is quite concerning that Trump and the Secretary of State are constantly contradicting each other on such a serious issue. In order to deescalate the tension with North Korea, good communication must be the highest priority. We can see the effects of not having good communication during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In order to prevent any dangerous situations, the presidential administration must organize all of their statements
ReplyDeleteIt is very concerning that Trump and Tillerson are contradicting each other about this issue, since the threat that North Korea poses is no joke and is not to be taken lightly. This not only makes Trump and Tillerson look bad, but it also increases the likelihood that North Korea will go to war with the US. The way that Trump and Tillerson are contradicting each other is evident of their inability to handle foreign affairs, which is very troubling.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that it is healthy that the President and the Secretary of State contradict each other on such an important matter. Their miscommunication can lead to a misunderstanding between the agendas of the US and other countries and possibly initiating war when neither side really wanted to. I believe that Trump actually does not want to go to war with North Korea. He is just putting up a facade to frighten North Korea enough so they won't strike first.
ReplyDeleteThe Secretary of State is meant to advise and challenge the president in order to keep his immense foreign power in check. However, such strong friction between the two makes for a dangerous concentration of power behind the nuclear WMD controls. It has been essential to have a healthy, understanding relationship between the Secretary of State and president since Truman's first encounter with the Manhattan Project. For the sake of the rest of the world, there must be harmony within the White House when it comes to foreign relations
ReplyDeleteThis is why Trump is not the right man for the job: he does not understand foreign relations and is giving all the power to his secretary of state, not mention that Tillerson is a nut-job like Trump. Although I think Trump isn't the one negotiating with North Korea, I still think he should be held accountable for anything that happens since he was the one that appointed Tillerson to be the Head of the State.
ReplyDeleteIt is not ideal that a President disagrees with his Secretary of State, but it is also not unheard of. However, their disagreements should ideally stay behind closed doors so as to not confuse the public. Trump and Tillerson have butted heads on some very important issues which is troubling, especially with the recent turnover rate of White House Staff.
ReplyDeleteTrump and Tillerson's disagreement is definately troublesome especially on a issue as large as this one. It almost seems as though everything Trump says Tillerson has to respond by saying he actually meant something else. This is not a healthy relationship especially between two of the most powerful people in the nation. It is very worrisome.
ReplyDeleteI think communication is key in dealing with serious issues, especially when it comes to the safety of people. This is not a joke and the Secretary and Trump need to organize their statements to the public and get on a similar page. It is very important for the safety of our country and needs to be dealt with quickly and in an effective manner.
ReplyDeleteIt is never a healthy thing when the president and the secretary of state disagree this often at all. The fact that this is over such a serious matter portrays the stubborn personality of Trump once again. Trump does not realize how important of an issue this is and it is concerning as a US citizen.
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating to hear a numerous amount of stories where Trump just says things to get the public's attention but they do not make sense. Especially about a topic that is so crucial for our country's safety, this should not be acceptable. He needs to start reviewing current situations and think about how his decisions affect the outcome of our country. Not willing to negotiate with Tillerson just shows how divided the government is and how they aren't willing to negotiate, even with issues so serious. How will we even get things done?
ReplyDelete1: Do you think it's healthy that the President and his Secretary of State contradict each other so often on such a serious matter? What could be some potential repercussions of this issue?
ReplyDeleteNo with this continuous form of government division, we are exactly what North Korea calls us... "Weak". We are seen as a scrambled and ideological separate government and unattached to our internal thoughts.
2. What do you think Trump actually thinks is the best way to deal with North Korea? Is he just putting on a show to prove his manliness or is Tillerson lying?
I am unsure how we as a country will deal with North Korea, this can turn into a whole other Vietnam situation or it can be as swift and easily for us as the Gulf War.
Trump, once again, does not understand the potential outcome of what he says. Because he is the United States President his words are taken seriously, and him going back on the fact that he said he wanted to engage in a war with North Korea is both confusing, and irritating to the general public.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very in Trumps character to do things that satisfy his ego more than the real concerns of the country. This proves that his current view on how to deal with North Korea is most likely not his true opinion on what is the best action but rather what he thinks will better his public image.
ReplyDelete