Trump, Lacking Leverage Over North Korea, Takes Aim at South Instead
Trump, Lacking Leverage Over North Korea, Takes Aim at South Instead Photo President Trump delivering a speech in Richfield, Ohio, on Thursday. Analysts say Mr. Trump’s decision to link a trade deal with South Korea to progress in denuclearizing North Korea shows a growing unease in Washington. Credit Tom Brenner/The New York Times SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea settled disputes with the Trump administration over steel tariffs and the revision of a free-trade agreement this week. With those stumbling blocks cleared, it hoped the two governments could focus on the more pressing crisis of North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
As it turned out, South Korea was celebrating too early.
On Thursday, President Trump said he might postpone finalizing the trade agreement with South Korea, which he had earlier described as “a wonderful deal with a wonderful ally,” until he secured a deal in denuclearizing North Korea.
“You know why?” he said. “Because it’s a very strong card.”
By tying a trade deal wi..
