Trump official warns “the clock has run out” on North Korea
By
Peter Symonds
5 April 2017
In another warning that the Trump administration is preparing to launch war on North Korea, a senior White House official ominously told the press yesterday that “the clock has now run out and all options are on the table.”
Underlining the imminent character of US war plans, the White House official declared that North Korea was a “matter of urgent interest for the president and the administration as a whole.”
Coming just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to meet Trump, the meaning is evident. Unless Beijing forces Pyongyang to bow to US demands to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, the US will use every means available, including its huge military forces, to crush the North Korean regime.
Top Trump officials have already ruled out a return to negotiations as proposed by China. The unnamed White House official emphasised the point again, by noting the failure of successive administrations to negotiate an end to North Korea’s nuclear program.
The menacing US threats of war against North Korea are aimed at placing intense pressure on President Xi to economically cripple the Pyongyang regime. The White House official told the media that the US wanted to work with China on North Korea but added: “This is a test for the relationship.”
Trump has repeatedly denounced China for failing to assist the US in dealing with North Korea. But it would be wrong to interpret the US threats as just bluster aimed at putting pressure on Xi, prior to talks with the US president on Thursday and Friday.
In an interview this week with the Financial Times, Trump was asked whether his abrasive language was just “the most brilliant softening-up exercise.” He…