I reiterate Secretary Tillerson’s statement at the united nations in April: “our goal is not regime change” and we do not want to “destabilize the Asia-pacific region.” we will, however, continue to increase diplomatic and economic pressure “until Pyongyang finally and permanently abandons its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.”
Specifically, the United States will maintain our close coordination and cooperation with the republic of Korea and Japan, two democracies whose people want peace. Our commitment to the defense of the republic of Korea and Japan, to include the employment of our most advanced capabilities, is ironclad.
Moreover, we will take further steps to protect the US homeland, as demonstrated by this week’s successful ballistic missile defense test.
While North Korea is an urgent military threat, we must not lose sight of other strategic challenges to regional peace and prosperity.
Because of its growing economic power, China occupies a position of influence in the pacific. We welcome China’s economic development. However, we can also anticipate economic and political friction between the United States and China.
Yet we cannot accept Chinese actions that impinge on the interests of the international community, undermining the rules-based order that has benefited all countries represented here today including, and especially, China.
While competition between the US and China, the world’s two largest economies, is bound to occur, conflict is not inevitable. Our two countries can and do cooperate for mutual benefit. We will work closely with China where we share common cause.
We seek a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China. We believe the United States can engage China diplomatically and economically to ensure our relationship is beneficial – not only to the United States and China – but also to the region and to the world.
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