Tabnak - As the crisis over North Korean nuclear weapons has reached its peak during the past year, US President Donald Trump has started an Asian tour with this issue at the top of his agenda. Strengthening ties with Washington’s main allies against Pyongyang seems to be the main expected achievement of the trip.
US President has embarked on a 12-day trip to Asia, the longest tour of the continent by a US president in 25 years and one that will be shadowed by fears of another international conflict.
On the first stop of his five-nation tour, Trump will depart for Japan on Saturday looking to present a united front with Japanese leaders against North Korea.
The US president will address US and Japanese forces at Yokota air base shortly after arriving in Japan on Sunday. Trump will play a round of golf with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and have a state call with the Imperial Family at Akasaka Palace during his visit.
Tensions have been building on the Korean Peninsula following a series of nuclear and missile tests by Pyongyang as well as threats of war and personal insults traded between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Joint US military exercises with forces from South Korea and Japan have been a constant cause of tensions in the region. World leaders have called for restraint by all sides to the conflict.
Explaining the importance of Trump’s trip, The Washington Post writes that Trump’s trip may shed further light on the direction of US engagement in Asia. Fears linger in Asia that Trump’s "America first” vision may result in US disengagement from the region.
Furthermore, Trump is expected to strengthen his rapport with both Chinese and Japanese leaders, and also look to deepen ties with other Asian allies. He has hosted several Asian leaders in his first year in office, most recently Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
On the other hand, the trip may provide Trump with the chance to forge a stronger consensus on North Korea’s nuclear threat. There might also be chance for him to negotiate hard on US trade interests.
However, regarding North Korea as the most important aspect of his trip, some Trump’s advisers have warned him that US military options are limited at best, saying Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on Seoul, which is only about 50 kilometers from the border.
The CIA has estimated that North Korea could be only months away from developing the ability to strike the United States with nuclear weapons. Because of this, after visiting Japan he will meet leaders in South Korea. He’ll then move on to Beijing to try and persuade Chinese President Xi Jinping to get tougher with Pyongyang.
