Panel with a quote from the 19th century philosopher, but im going to do it here because i think it is relevant. He said that, you know, life is best understood backwards, but you need to live it forwards. And i think what were going to try to do here today is to try to understand trumps north korea policy backwards and think about some of the things that have happened in order to understand how were going to be living it forward and whats coming in the coming year. And i think thats really important because for several reasons. One, this is one of the most the Biggest International issues of our time and at stake right now in whether the approach is effective or not is not just whether we address the north Korean Nuclear threat but also a chance of reconciliation between north and south korea and the efforts to stop the threat of Nuclear Weapons are also at stake. In addition i think its a critical window into understanding how President Trump conducts Foreign Policy. This is his sign
Educe the national debt. As always, well take your calls and you can join the conversation on facebook and twitter as well. Washington journal is next. Host good morning. It is 7 00 eastern time here in washington. The start of a holiday week. Congress returning in two weeks. President trump spending christmas with his family in florida. It is monday, december 23. We begin our first hour with Foreign Policy. The leaders of china, south korea and japan meeting today in beijing it. Comes as the pentagon and u. S. Officials are on, quote, high alert, after new threats over the weekend by north korea. In the past President Trump has said that he and president kim jong un fell in love. But since that comment back in february, talks have broken down. We want to get your reaction to these developments in north korea, what it means for the u. S. And for the region. 2027488001, thats our line for republicans. 2027488922 for democrats. 2027488002 if oure democrats. Or on twit or facebook. Good m
Things where its always on the horizon, were about to do it. I think they will do it. That will take a huge uncertainty out of the way, usmca, nafta 2, getting that out of the way. The other thing to avoid is a trade war with europe over auto parts and imports. With all the optimism, bank of america said 68 of managerses think the markets going to be good. Thats usually a bearish sign. Lauren i know. When everyone starts saying things are so good, mitch, you study this, you know the stock market, does that mean you should go in the other direction. Not necessarily. Think about what happened last year. We were worried about the fed raising rates. This year the fed lowered rates three times. The markets are sending them a message, saying we like lower rates. I think fed talk will be the thing to look at. I would look at corporate earnings next year. Baked into the market this year is the fact that next year will be a good year for earnings. Last year was a meh year for earnings. Lauren i
Thank you very much, john. I appreciate the kind words of introduction. I want to thank the center for strategic and International Studies and joongang ilbo, the host of todays forum, for their invitation to speak. I think this is the 9th or 10th such forum, and its a great opportunity, very timely, to discuss a lot of critical issues. I also want to congratulate csis and john and victor cha for the this is also the 10th anniversary of the korea chair of csis. So it marks a decade of contributions that the chairs nonpartisan, objective research has made to the Public Policy debate on korean issues that are so important to the American People and to the korean people. It has been a significant accomplishment for victor and john and all of csis. I am delighted to be here today. Im also assured the leadership of north korea is elated that delighted that im here today in a private capacity. [laughter] at least thats what ive read. Perhaps they will be a little less delighted now that i can
10th such forum and it is very timely to discuss a lot of critical issues. I also want to congratulate csis and john and victor cha for the 10th anniversary of the korea chair of csis. It marks a decade of on korean issues that are so important to the American People and korean people. It has been a significant accomplishment for victor and john and all of csis. I am delighted to be here today. Im also assured the leadership of north korea is elated that im here today in a private capacity. [laughter] at least thats what ive read. Perhaps they will be a little less delighted now that i can speak in unvarnished terms about the grave and growing threat that the north Korea Nuclear Weapons Program poses to International Peace and security. Lets start with a couple of what i think the main precepts of dealing with the north Korean Nuclear threat are. First, it remains unacceptable for north korea to have deliverable Nuclear Weapons. By the word unacceptable, i dont mean rhetorical flourish