Just yesterday, North Korea claimed to have conducted its first-ever successful hydrogen bomb test. This is obviously frightening if true, with the quite insane Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un in control of a weapon of mass destruction. Most people quickly responded to this issue trying to figure out what the US should do in policing North Korea. Donald Trump, on the other hand, says that the US should not be doing anything directly, and that it is China's responsibility. This contradicts the United States' history of being a world police.
Instead of directly policing the issue, Trump thinks that we should put pressure on China to do something about it. He is viewing this issue in a very economic way, stating, "China should solve that problem and we should put pressure on China to solve the problem. If they don't solve that problem, we should be very tough on them on trade -- meaning, start charging them tax or start cutting them off. You'd have China collapse in about two minutes." Although I agree that we should put pressure on China to help with the North Korea issues, I don't know if trying to cause their collapse is the best strategy. This quote shows Trump trying to flaunt his economic prowess, but to me ultimately just proves his inexperience in foreign policy.
It has always been an implied responsibility that America should help police world affairs. It is definitely an interesting take by Trump to claim that this responsibility should not exist the way it does. I do not agree exactly with how Trump would like to go about this issue, but part of me agrees that whenever a world issue comes up, nations should not always look to the United States for answers. We definitely need to stay involved in certain issues, but we must choose wisely.
Do you agree with anything Trump is saying? What do you think is the best way to monitor this North Korea issue?
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/06/politics/donald-trump-north-korea-china-ted-cruz-immigration/index.html
3 comments:
When I first found out about the bomb in North Korea I was very concerned. Kim Jong Un is an insane tyrant that acts like a little kid and if he threw a tantrum with a hydrogen bomb I wouldn't want to be around to see the results. I, like everyone else, am concerned about any potential nuclear power that would fall into the hands of this tyrant. However, reports have been saying that it was not a hydrogen bomb and did not produce much radiation. This offers some comfort, but I still worry about what he will do next and any increasing military power that North Korea has. I agree with Brian that Trump's approach seems a bit misguided to me since China isn't a country you can just put pressure on and expect to collapse within two seconds. Additionally, any trade cuts with China would have a negative affect on the United States economy and I am not convinced that China will cave immediately. I also believe that working with China to put pressure on North Korea and trying to ally is smarter than creating enemies with a country that is friends with North Korea. China has shown concern and response to the bomb and is increasing securities. Creating tariffs with such a major trading partner is not the solution the this problem. Instead, I would think that the best idea would be to speak with China and other Asian countries about how best to deal with North Korea. Furthermore, I believe that no decisions should be made until after the emergency UN conference is held.
Trumps statement is not something the majority of American people want to hear. Americans, as well as people all over the world, have a fear of hydrogen bombs because of the mass destruction they are known to cause. The fact that North Korea may be in the possession of such a weapon should be a top priority to be addressed by governments around the world. When a country or organization has access to a weapon such as this they are holding the lives of millions in their hands. This is a situation that must be solved with extremely careful diplomacy. Hearing Trump say that if he were President he would take no direct action is an extremely worrisome message. Although there is legitimacy in his statement that China should get involved, I agree with "Blogger Brian" in saying that Trumps plan to cause the Chinese economy to collapse as the method to get the government involved is an extreme and an inappropriate solution. Furthermore, there is no need for the United States to take such drastic measures against China because China doesn’t need much motivation to get involved. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already released a statement saying that they “firmly oppose” the testing and possession of a hydrogen bomb by North Korea. Lee Jung Hood, a professor of International Relations at Yonsei University, remarked on China’s views of Kim John Un as a “very rogue, irresponsible and brattish leader.” It is clear that the sentiment of the Chinese and Americans of Kim Jong Un is similar: he is not a good leader and should not be in possession of a hydrogen bomb. Therefore, logically to use diplomacy as means of cooperation with China and other Asian countries. Trump’s suggestion to jump to attacking the Chinese economy highlights his inexperience on how to handle international affairs and how unqualified and ill prepared he would be as a President. Personally, I agree with Gwen that before any action is taken meetings should be held between the United States and Asian countries, including, but not limited to, China.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/07/asia/north-korea-china-nuclear-test/
I believe that North Korea isn't our responsibility, but is the whole world's responsibility since they could be a threat to the rest of the world. North Korea has made alot of false claims in the past, but that shouldn't mean we should rest on our morals. However, we shouldn't be the only country that should monitor North Korea, rather it should be a responsibility of the world as a whole. I believe that North Korea could have the capablities of causing mass destruction, but since they are so isolated that the rest of the world doesn't know what is happening behind their closed doors. As a result, North Korea could be making weapons, but we must be able to monitor their actions in a way that would help us be able to know what they are up to and prevent any violent actions to the rest of the world.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/07/asia/north-korea-china-nuclear-test/
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