US President Donald Trump has scheduled telephone conversations with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a White House official said, amid heightened tensions surrounding North Korea….
US President Donald Trump has scheduled telephone conversations with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a White House official said, amid heightened tensions surrounding North Korea. The topics of the Sunday-night (Monday morning, Hong Kong time) conversations, which were abruptly added to Trump’s agenda, were not announced. But they come as Pyongyang is thought to be preparing to conduct further test-firings of missiles or a sixth nuclear test, possibly on the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army on Tuesday. Trump and his senior officials have said that all options, including military action, are “on the table” in dealing with North Korea’s pursuit of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, which violates UN Security Council resolutions. The White House will also hold a briefing for senators with its “four principals” on North Korea as the administration considers its options for dealing with Pyongyang. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will attend the meeting planned for April 26, the White House said in an advance schedule.
