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Trump’s message to Kim: We won’t be bullied

In suggesting he and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un may not meet on June 12, as had been scheduled, President Donald Trump is fighting fire with fire.

Through what has been termed his “charm offensive,” Kim has raised hopes that a meeting with Trump could result in him agreeing to abandon nuclear weapons. Analysts have pointed out that is far from assured, however.

After a stint playing “good cop,” Kim suddenly switched gears. Now, North Korea is back to the harsh rhetoric of the past, condemning the United States and South Korea for joint military exercises — that, it should be noted, were scaled back after Pyonyang protested.

Trump’s comment Monday is no more than indicating to Kim that the United States will not be bullied. As experience shows, that is the only rational strategy for dealing with North Korea.

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