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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 7 November 2017
Trump strikes hard line against North Korea in Japan

Continued from Front Ronald Reagan as a dem- ened to “totally destroy” South Korea, he tweeted tionship” whereas “in most
Trump instead declared onstration of solidarity with the North, if necessary, that Moon is “a fine gentle- other parts of the world,
that Abe “will shoot ‘em the South. Instead, Trump and repeatedly insisted man,” adding, “We will fig- people are trying to keep
out of the sky when he planned to visit Camp that all options are on the ure it all out!” their distance from Donald
completes the purchase Trump.”
of lots of additional military Trump will spend Tuesday
equipment from the United in meetings with Moon,
States.” hold a joint press confer-
Trump said Abe had ence and be feted at a
agreed to purchase “mas- state dinner.
sive amounts of military Trade also is expected to
equipment, as he should,” be a major topic of discus-
arguing the U.S. makes the sion: Trump has considered
“best military equipment, pulling out of the United
by far.” States-Korea Free Trade
Japan’s constitution was Agreement, also known
revised after World War II to as KORUS, blaming it for
include a clause renounc- the U.S.-South Korea trade
ing war and the country deficit.Trump and Japan’s
spends only about 1 per- Abe have forged strong
cent of its GDP on defense. bonds through meetings,
Abe has slowly tried to re- phone calls and on the
move some of the pacifist golf course — a friendship
constraints and is already that was on display at a
seeking money to pur- Monday banquet that was
chase upgraded SM3 in- the final event of Trump’s
terceptors with greater ac- stop in Japan. In a toast,
curacy and range, as well President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speak as they walk to a koi Trump told about how he
as other advanced missile pond at the Akasaka Palace, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Tokyo. Trump is on a five country trip was bombarded by phone
defense systems. through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. calls from world leaders
Under its constitution, Ja- (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) after he was elected presi-
pan can shoot down a mis- Humphreys, a military base table. Moon, meanwhile, On a personal level, Trump dent. Trump said he re-
sile only when it is aimed about 40 miles south of favors dialogue as the best and Moon have not devel- turned just a few — includ-
at the country or if debris Seoul. strategy for defusing the oped the same close rap- ing one from Abe, who
is falling on its territory. But U.S. and South Korean of- nuclear tension and vehe- port as Trump has with Abe said he wanted to meet
some hawkish members of ficials have said the base mently opposes a poten- or even China’s Xi Jinping. with Trump as soon as pos-
Abe’s Liberal Democratic visit is meant to under- tial military clash that could Part of Moon’s mission dur- sible. Trump responded:
Party say that it may be score the countries’ ties cause enormous casualties ing the visit will likely be to anytime.Trump, as he told
possible to shoot down and South Korea’s com- in South Korea. strengthen his personal ties it, wasn’t aware of the pro-
a missile headed toward mitment to contributing to Trump backed up his with Trump, said Michael tocol against president-
Guam if it causes an exis- its own defense. Burden- strong words about North O’Hanlon, a senior fellow in elects meeting with world
tential threat to the U.S. as sharing is a theme Trump Korea by sending a bud- foreign policy at the Brook- leaders. Trump added that
Japan’s ally. Experts say has stressed ever since his get request to Capitol Hill ings Institution.“Now poor by the time he called Abe
that is questionable. presidential campaign. on Monday for $4 billion to President Moon is playing to wave him off, Abe was
As part of his Asia tour, Trump and South Korea’s support “additional efforts catch-up ball because ev- already en route to New
Trump will visit South Korea, liberal President Moon to detect, defeat, and de- eryone acknowledges that York. “So I saw him and
where he will forgo the cus- Jae-in agree on the need fend against any North Ko- he’s not bonding quite as it worked out just fine,”
tomary trip to the demilita- to pressure the North with rean use of ballistic missiles much with Donald Trump Trump recalled.Abe called
rized zone separating north sanctions and other deter- against the United States, as the rest of the region,” Trump his “dear friend”
and south — a pilgrimage rence measures. But Trump its deployed forces, allies, said O’Hanlon. He said and praised the benefits of
made by every U.S. presi- has warned of unleash- or partners.” Moon could face pressure what he called “golf diplo-
dents except one since ing “fire and fury,” threat- And as he departed for “to deliver a stronger rela- macy.” q

Must-do bills in a divided Congress could lead to shutdown

By ANDREW TAYLOR mix of must-do and could- shutdown just as the GOP were brought to the U.S. il- brought to the country
Associated Press do items, with the current hopes to wrap up an over- legally as young children. illegally.”For his part, Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — An government spending bill haul of the tax code that’s They also demand bud- tends to waver depending
early December govern- set to expire Dec. 8. On the its top priority. And legions get increases for domes- on the situation — siding
ment shutdown is a real list are immigration and a of GOP defense hawks are tic agencies.“I think we’re with Democrats on a debt
possibility, since a divided U.S.-Mexico border wall; adamant that the Penta- headed in a good direc- deal in September, promis-
Congress can’t agree on an impasse over children’s gon receive a huge 2018 tion on the spending caps,” ing Republicans last week
military spending, Demo- health care; pent-up de- budget hike approaching Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said that the controversial immi-
crats insist on help for mand for budget increases $80-90 billion. Trump and Monday. “I don’t know gration issue won’t be part
young immigrants and for the Pentagon and do- many followers want the that will get to immigra- of the year-end spending
President Donald Trump’s mestic agencies; and tens U.S.-Mexico wall.Demo- tion this year but that’s a measure.Meanwhile, the
position can change with of billions of dollars in hur- crats retain considerable pretty easy thing to settle if tax debate is taking up
each lawmaker he talks to. ricane aid.There’s plenty power in the endgame — the Democrats will give the energy, time and political
Most of Washington is fo- at stake for Republicans their votes are needed — president some of what he capital, and GOP lead-
cused on overhauling the controlling Washington. and are pressing demands wants. I think he would be ers seem reluctant to issue
nation’s tax code, but law- Politically, there’s an urgen- of their own. They want pro- willing to be pretty forward- controversial decisions that
makers face a combustible cy to avoid a debilitating tections for immigrants who leaning on kids who were might harm its chances.q