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Kim Plays Trump, Driving Deal in North Korea’s Favor

For our next act, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un plays the White House fiddle:

Kim Jong Un on the Trump Fiddle
Kim’s next number…?

U.S. President Donald Trump sought on Thursday to placate North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un after Pyongyang threatened to scrap an unprecedented summit, saying Kim’s security would be guaranteed in any deal and his country would not suffer the fate of Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya, unless that could not be reached.

…Trump said the deal he was looking at would give Kim – a hereditary ruler who presides over a state widely criticized for serious human rights abuses – “protections that will be very strong.”

“He would be there, he would be running his country, his country would be very rich,” Trump said [Steve Holland, “Trump Seeks to Placate North Korea’s Kim over Uncertain Summit,” Reuters, 2018.05.17].

Kim Jong Un understands television. He understands that the meeting he has offered Donald Trump would make good television. And he understands that Donald Trump is so desperate for good television that he’ll say and do stupid things to get it… stupid things like promising to protect a dictator.

Add stupid things like changing U.S. military maneuvers to appease North Korea:

Citing unnamed US officials, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Seoul was worried Pyongyang might bristle at a joint US-South Korea-Japan air exercise, especially because the US planned to fly B-52 planes.

…The Trump administration agreed, and decided to run the drill with just Japan and completely outside of South Korean airspace — even though the original plan was for the bombers to minimally enter it.

This is quite a concession to North Korea. In the past, the US and South Korea have conducted their drills without any major modifications, regardless of North Korea’s bluster. But now that Pyongyang has threatened to cancel the summit, it seems Washington and Seoul want to ensure they don’t do anything to scuttle the historic meeting.

…however you look at it, it’s clear that North Korea — not the US — seems in control headed into June 12’s Trump-Kim talks [Alex Ward, “North Korea Is Already Getting Concessions Ahead of Trump-Kim Talks,” Vox, 2018.05.18].

Strange: I thought “America First!” referred to something other than blinking.

37 Comments

  1. mike fom iowa 2018-05-18 12:51

    America has the great Neville Drumpfberlain to give away the farm to Jong Un. Worked so well in pre WW2 Germany and Britain.

  2. Roger Cornelius 2018-05-18 14:51

    Trump continues to give Kim Jung Un the one thing he desires the most, recognition as a super power.
    Republican and Democratic have for decades refused to give North Korea any kind of recognition and for good reason.
    After Trump violated the Iran nuclear deal, it is hard to imagine why Kim Jung Un would trust him. The only thing I can think of is that Trump has a plan to make a personal profit off North Korea with some phony business deal.
    Trump isn’t even preparing for the June summit, that requires that he read documents, etc., and we know Trump’s aversion to reading.
    Trump had an opportunity to show North Korea good faith by canceling or postponing the planned military exercises, but he had to show Kim Jung Un his military power.

  3. Jason 2018-05-19 20:39

    Cory, I am good as long as Trump doesn’t fly a plane with millions of US cash over to North Korea.

    I wasn’t reading your blog back then. Did you comment on the cash Obama flew to Iran?

  4. Debbo 2018-05-19 21:38

    pres Animal Sh*thole thinks he can get a Nobel Peace Prize by talking to Kim Jong Un and reaching an agreement. He’s slobbering for the chance and will do anything to have this meeting. Kim knows he’s got pres Animal Sh*thole by the, um, short hairs, and he’ll continue calling the shots. Kim OWNS 45.

  5. jerry 2018-05-20 11:35

    Boy, am I surprised at this, not even.

    “BREAKING NEWS
    The U.S. has put on hold its plan to impose sweeping tariffs on China as it presses forward with talks to reduce its trade deficit with Beijing
    Sunday, May 20, 2018 11:38 AM EST
    Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, said on Sunday that the two countries had made progress as they concluded two days of intense trade negotiations in Washington late last week. The planned tariffs — on Chinese steel and aluminum, as well as $150 billion worth of other Chinese goods — are off the table while the talks proceed, he said.

    “We’re putting the trade war on hold,” Mr. Mnuchin said on “Fox News Sunday.”

    I think there was a worry about the jobs that might be lost in China so we had to do this to show Kim that we mean business and that when we say stuff, we mean stuff so he had better watch out. Tomorrow, Kim’s stock will rise as the market will soar like an albatross with more corporate profits to be taken. Kim will then sell off his shares and then say something bad to trumpstein. The market will drop and shed the points gained. That’s your pension’s boys and girls, that is your 401 that is rising and falling like ciabatta bread.

  6. Porter Lansing 2018-05-20 11:55

    I’d play poker with Trump, in a heartbeat. He’d go home broke telling everyone how he’d won. He’s only got one business tactic. Threaten an action, then end the threat when he gets a concession from his opponent. Trick is … he doesn’t know a phony concession when he sees it. He’s so intent on the ego driven appearance of “winning” that he doesn’t know when he’s getting played.

  7. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-05-20 12:42

    That’s big news, Jerry. It supports what Porter’s saying: Kim and everyone else can see that Trump will throw his tantrum, then cave once he gets some empty promise that makes him think he pretend to the crowd that he’s winning. Kim says he’ll stop testing nukes, but that’s because he wore out his own testing site and now has functional, credibly threatening weapons. China is making a promise to reduce the trade deficit, but it’s unlikely to come close fulfilling that promise… although finishing Keystone XL and shipping North American oil to China at higher prices for everyone might help, right? :-D

  8. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-05-20 12:49

    Notice that Jason has said nothing to refute the ill-advisedness of Trump’s capitulation to North Korea’s dictator. If Jason’s only response is, “I can say bad things about Obama,” then he’s living in the past and losing the argument.

    Analogy: there used to be a guy in my hometown who slacked off on mowing his yard. But instead of sitting here all afternoon and talking about what a lazy SOB that guy was, I should go outside and mow my yard, which is shaggy and dandelion-y right now.

    At peril of taking Jason’s bait, I should note that the analogy breaks down because President Barack Obama mowed the foreign policy yard regularly and well. Donald Trump thinks you mow the yard by yelling at the grass and calling the mower names on Twitter.

  9. Jason 2018-05-20 12:53

    Cory,

    Did you comment on the cash Obama gave Iran back then?

  10. Roger Cornelius 2018-05-20 12:57

    “If a Trump supporter says they want you to back up something you said with facts, they’re lying.
    They want you to waste your time on an explanation they will neither consider or accept. It they liked facts, they wouldn’t be Trump supporters”.
    – Middle Age Riot

  11. Porter Lansing 2018-05-20 13:07

    The U.S. State Department is saying Iran received about $1.7 billion as part of the nuclear agreement. The money was legally due to Iran. The country had paid America for military equipment in 1979, but then the Iranian revolution came and the hardware was never delivered.
    In August 2016, many news organizations reported the delivery of $400 million of that $1.7 billion in cash. As part of that exchange, an unmarked cargo plane delivered the money after American officials were certain that three Americans held in Iran were on their way home.
    http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2017/jun/06/karen-handel/Handel-pushes-details-Iran-deal-terror-support/

  12. mike fom iowa 2018-05-20 13:09

    Hey Troll, what was wrong with the money being returned to its rightful owners?

    https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/obama-bribed-iran-400-million-to-release-u-s-prisoners/

    Read it and weep, Troll. Obama saved the US a bundle of money and Iran got back the money they paid the US for fighter jets never delivered.

    Every little detail is shown in black and white. Every step is laid out in easy to understand English and it was announced in public.

  13. jerry 2018-05-20 13:09

    Roger, that quote is about as truthiness as it gets! Wonder what Ghouliani will rise up from his crypt and decry tomorrow about this latest trumpstein flip flop? If you read the article in the New York Times, it says South Dakota farmers will…wait for it…get natta… But maybe, just maybe, they might “He suggested that under a deal, China would make big increases in its purchases of American agricultural products and energy over the next several years.” Did you hear that possible voters for NOem/Jackley/Tapioca/lickspittle Krebs and of course, Opie… “over the next several years” or maybe not. Depends on how Kim and China make trumpstein dance the jig that amuses the hell out of them.

  14. jerry 2018-05-20 13:32

    Kim was watching Fox news today for his daily humor and chocked on his kimchi when he heard former tee vee hop head Larry Kudlow spout this ““If any of the remedies are altered, they are still going to be very, very tough, including big fines, compliance measures, new management, new boards. The question is whether there are perhaps some small changes around the edges,” Mr. Kudlow said. “I think President Trump is doing this because there’s some very good feeling between him and China.”

    “Do not, please, do not expect ZTE to get off scot-free,” he added. “It ain’t going to happen.””

    Kim rolled in the aisle about ZTE and said to his buddies, “See, now you know what I am talking about, these guys are dopes” Not only is Kim gonna get a new train, he is gonna be getting that trillion dollar infrastructure plan that we in South Dakota were gonna see. Alas, Kim gets the elevator and we get the shaft. It seems everyone gets the joke but Red Wave supporters.

  15. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-05-20 16:16

    Don’t feed the trolls, friends. The United States is in danger right now because the White House is occupied by a pretend businessman whose major foreign policy goal right now is to placate and protect the North Korean dictator.

  16. Porter Lansing 2018-05-20 17:36

    Jason … Cory is a trained professional in the skill of helping the less than average learner improve. When a compassionate and dedicated teacher says not to respond to your method, it speaks volumes about your status.

  17. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2018-05-20 18:54

    [But enough about us, eh, Porter? Let’s stick with the clear and present danger to the United States’ standing in world affairs!]

  18. Porter Lansing 2018-05-20 19:09

    Yes. Time for summer vacay. Auf wiedersehen, kinder. 🛡

  19. jerry 2018-05-21 07:47

    trump and his conservative communists have completely capitulated to Kim and China. They had consistently said that we were not going to be pushed around by the likes of Kim and China and yet, he we are. The tail between our legs like the mangy cur in the White House has always wanted. We are putting record amounts of spending for Defense that does not go to troop pay and only goes for war ships and planes to protect Israel’s interests as well as protecting Russian and Chinese interests now in Afghanistan and on the blue waters that deliver Russian made oil pipeline material and Hobby Lobby products from China.

    Our sons and daughters are protecting Chinese interests in Afghanistan so China will be able to get at the copper and especially rare earth materials that abound in Afghanistan. Chinese troops are also working in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan. Nice https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2017/03/05/chinese-troops-appear-to-be-operating-in-afghanistan-and-the-pentagon-is-ok-with-it/ China is now the highest bidder for mercenary forces that are taxpayer funded from the United States. Bibi showed Kim and China how to get’r done.

  20. jerry 2018-05-21 07:57

    What size do you think NOem will wear? How about Tapioca/Jackley/lickspittle Krebs/Opie/ Thune and Rounds? https://www.furhatworld.com/russian-hats-c-42_45.html These sellouts should be getting one helluva deal on them. Kim already has his and wears it proudly. Be like Kim, the new Red Wave of South Dakota that Jackley is so proud of!

  21. jerry 2018-05-25 04:50

    America is gonna miss diplomacy for trade and peace that is for sure. 60% of republicans have got their man for sure, he fits their dream of isolationism with the loathing of trade deals. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44247860 What went wrong with Kim? the Red Wave republican party.

  22. mike fom iowa 2018-05-25 06:44

    After Drumpf cancelled ( before Kim could) he threatened war with NK and said S Korea and Japan would pay for it.

    Maybe they will pay for the Mexican wall, too.

    Drumpf cancelled because he is caught between Pompeo and Bolton’s bad advice.

  23. jerry 2018-05-25 07:22

    Kim now dangles a new meeting to further humiliate the United States. trump now will consider dumping Pompeo from State and putting Dennis Rodman in the big chair. Stock markets will continue to roller coaster with the news while millions of pensions will loose retirement funds. The greed of the elite is not even astounding anymore, it is expected.

  24. Jason 2018-05-25 07:25

    Trump wins again.

  25. jerry 2018-05-25 07:30

    This Headline just in: “Other 193 Countries Begin Insulting Mike Pence In Hopes Of Avoiding Future Meetings With Trump” and then goes further with:

    “BERLIN—Leaping at the chance to never again deal with the U.S. after North Korea’s disparaging remarks towards the Vice President, leaders from the other 193 nations of the world began insulting Mike Pence Thursday in hopes of avoiding future meetings with President Donald Trump.”

    Kim wins again! Beating trump is like winning at checkers with a four year old. Both have the same capacity at loosing.

  26. Roger Cornelius 2018-05-25 07:33

    Trump doesn’t stand a chance negotiating with Kim Jung Un.
    It is well known that Trump doesn’t read nor does he follow his advisors suggestions.
    Trump is woefully unprepared. On the other hand, it is very well known that Kim is prepared and can talk seriously beyond Trump’s pathetic one-line threats about who has the bigger red button.

  27. jerry 2018-05-25 08:29

    It is interesting to me that 60% of republicans think this is winning. They are like a few of the posters here. As you note, most of them do not read so they do not understand history or the fact that Kim’s daddy and his, never signed a treaty to end the Korean War. They cannot read so they cannot comprehend that the United States had 33,686 killed in action in those 3 years 1950-1953. There are still 7,747 American service members missing in action from those years as well.

    trump got boxed in because he is an idiot and he now finds himself stuck…that is until Kim release the hold on him with a huge payout. Count on Kim getting some pretty good rewards for as long as the dummy and his cadre are still in Washington.

  28. Roger Cornelius 2018-05-25 08:45

    Exactly, Jerry, what did Trump and his minions win?
    The right to pull out of the talks first?
    I like president’s that complete negotiations not walk away from them.

  29. jerry 2018-05-25 10:43

    It even gets better: “‘TRUMP TOOK THE BAIT’ On Thursday, Donald Trump canceled his June summit with Kim Jong Un, with NBC reporting the president was worried Pyongyang would cancel before he did. Experts told us Kim “baited Trump into pulling out” ― isolating the U.S. from its Asian allies and indefinitely postponing talks of Pyongyang’s denuclearization. North Korea responded Friday, saying it was still open for negotiations despite the cancellation.”

    The Rocket Man is spanking old trumpy’s hiney just like Stormy Daniels did with a rolled up magazine, while the dotard asks for more. Putin does not want anyone to put a tent over this circus either, this clown show is way to entertaining.

  30. Roger Cornelius 2018-05-25 10:46

    jerry

    You might want to read Trump’s letter again, it sounds like a “Dear John” letter.
    Breaking up is hard to do.

  31. mike fom iowa 2018-05-25 11:25

    Drumpf is his own ancient Chinese philosopher, Confuse Us.

  32. jerry 2018-05-25 13:53

    Good ones Roger and mfi! Yes Confuse Us and something from the lonely hearts club are only what shallow Red Wave republicans can relate to. They all seem to have the attention span of a gnat.

  33. jerry 2018-06-02 13:34

    trump did not read Kim’s letter! Hilarious! Kim writes a letter and trump assumes he knows what it says.

    “It’s possible that the letter only reinforces the yawning gap between the two sides. But some experts wanted the summit to be back on because a meeting might address those concerns. “We can continue to narrow the gap and get to a place where we do have a meaningful dialogue towards an eventual resolution,” Joseph Yun, a US Institute of Peace expert and former top North Korea negotiator in the Trump administration told reporters on Friday.

    Trump is planning to spend the weekend at Camp David discussing the US agenda for the possible summit. But it’s unclear what, exactly, he will do after he reads the North Korean leader’s note.”

    I really don’t care for NOem, but I have to salute her reluctance to support this knucklehead in Washington. These con men will do anything to get us to stop looking into their corruption.

    The article goes further, the money quote and news:

    “According to an unnamed foreign official who spoke to the Wall Street Journal on Friday morning, Kim wrote in a letter that he still wanted to meet with Trump. Kim Yong Chol, a top North Korean official considered Kim Jong Un’s right-hand man, hand-delivered the letter to Trump around 1 pm on Friday at the White House.

    After the meeting, Trump announced that he would meet with Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore. However, Trump told reporters he had yet to read the letter, saying he could be in “for a big surprise” once he looks at it.

    But in Kim’s note, he reportedly doesn’t express a desire for his country to make any concessions, even though he doesn’t threaten the US in any way.” https://www.vox.com/2018/6/1/17417348/kim-trump-north-korea-letter-summit

    Cory is correct, Kim is playing trump like the chump he is all the while trump is chumping the taxpayers of the United States by paying for this charade. North Korea is acting like it cannot afford to go to the meeting by the guy wearing a pound of gold Rolex watch. Well played Kim, well played.

  34. jerry 2018-07-12 10:28

    Kim played trump again, like a monkey on a leash. Washington Post reports:

    Asia & Pacific
    North Korean officials a no-show for meeting about U.S. troop remains

    SEOUL — North Korean officials did not turn up to a Thursday meeting with the U.S. military about repatriating the remains of the war dead, according to a U.S. official with knowledge of the situation.

    The two sides had been expected to meet at the Korean Peninsula’s demilitarized zone and discuss the return of U.S. troop remains from the 1950-1953 war — an arrangement that the State Department had announced after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Pyongyang last Friday and Saturday.

    State Department officials had said that the meeting would likely take place on July 12, though they had said that the date could shift.

    On Thursday, however, Department of Defense and United Nations Command officials were left waiting in the DMZ’s Joint Security Area. The expected North Korean officials never arrived, according to the official who requested anonymity as he was not permitted to talk publicly about the event.”

    Who let the dogs out, who who? trump let the dogs out, that’s who and they are doing their business out on the front lawn. What a failure of leadership this clown is.
    Remember, the lying liar said that they had already released these remains and that they were being united with the families. What a shame.

  35. Debbo 2018-07-12 14:20

    pres Child Abuser is such a gullible goober.

  36. jerry 2018-08-04 08:20

    Kim kicks Republican surrender monkeys once again, gwaaad, that art of the deal thingy. Get them out of there before they kill us. It is good to see that arrogant arse Pompeo go begging now to other countries. I am sure they will want to help after being insulted by him and the rest of the congressional republicans.

    “Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will determine his nation’s timeline for possible denuclearization as the Trump administration pushes Pyongyang to give up its nuclear capabilities.” http://thehill.com/policy/international/400355-pompeo-north-koreas-kim-will-determine-timeline-for-denuclearization

    I hope that Russian, China, South Korea and Japan ignore the idiots in Washington and start trading with Kim to bring them into world trade arena. Our ag producers could use some legitimate trade deals to sell products in a new market. Dump Republicans, Dump trump. Hey, while at it, add Iran to the list of countries to do business with, they have oil, so it would be a win win for all!

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