Diplomatic efforts could be impeded by Trump move to re-list North Korea as state sponsor of terrorism

Diplomatic attempts at dialogue with North Korea on its aggressive nuclear weapons stand could be derailed by President Trump’s act on Monday to re-list the country as a state sponsor of terrorism.

North Korea was taken off the list in 2008, after talks with several countries including the United States.

Reinstating it on the list means imposing further sanctions on Pyongyang, potentially sending mixed messages about Washington’s intended approach to the problem.

While the U.S. policy on nuclear-weapons-capable nations has long been to utilize punitive action in the form of economic sanctions, trade embargoes and the like, this time it may not lead Kim Jong Un to the negotiating table as intended.

Trump has, in the past, said that negotiations were a waste of time, but after his recent trip to the region, he was willing to talk with Kim.

In that light, Monday’s move by Trump to re-list North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism could be construed as a backpedalling to his previous stand.

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