"Save
your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!" Mr Trump tweeted, after
it emerged the US had lines of communication with Pyongyang.
Rex Tillerson disclosed the development on Saturday, saying North Korea had little interest in dialogue.
The two countries have engaged in heated rhetoric in recent months.
- Inside the world's most secretive country
- Where is the war of words heading?
The
US wants North Korea to halt its weapons programme, which has seen it
perform repeated missile tests, as well as claim to have successfully
tested a miniaturised hydrogen bomb which could be loaded on to a
long-range missile.
But attempts at dialogue seem to be at odds with President Trump's own attitude to the issue.
On
Sunday, he tweeted, in reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un: "I
told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is
wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man..."
He then added:
He did not elaborate on what he means by "we'll do what has to be done".
However
a senior US official, asked for clarification later, told Reuters: "At a
time when North Korea is continuing its provocations, the president
does not think now is the time to negotiate with them."
The official also said the diplomatic channels were mainly used to discuss American citizens detained by Pyongyang.
'Stay tuned'
It is not the first time Donald Trump has sought to contradict top officials within his administration.
In
August, he said the US military was "locked and loaded" ready to deal
with North Korea, just hours after his defence secretary tried to cool
tensions by saying that diplomatic efforts were succeeding.
- Trump administration's mixed messages on North Korea
His
comments come a day after Mr Tillerson revealed that US officials had
some communication channels open with Pyongyang, despite the escalating
war of words between the leaders of both countries.
Asked whether North Korea would come to the negotiating table, the secretary of state said: "We are probing, so stay tuned."
However, he later acknowledged that little progress had been made.
Mr
Tillerson was speaking during a trip to China - the North's biggest
trading partner - to meet President President Xi Jinping and other
officials.
China
just last week told North Korean businesses operating in its territory
to close down as part of fresh United Nations sanctions against the
reclusive state.
[BBC SOURCES]
Post a Comment