President Trump will avoid drawing any “red lines” for North Korea because doing so could take away the strategic advantage that comes with keeping U.S. plans a secret, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday.
“Drawing red lines hasn’t really worked in the past,” Spicer told reporters at the White House, referring to President Barack Obama’s highly criticized decision to draw a “red line” for Syria, from which he later retreated.
“He holds his cards close the to vest and you’re not going to see him telegraphing” a response, Spicer added about Trump.
If Trump were to announce the specific conditions that would trigger U.S. military action against North Korea, then Pyongyang could prepare itself for the response, Spicer argued.
“It really gives the intended recipient of action a heads-up as to what’s going on,” Spicer said. “I don’t think you’re going to see the president drawing red lines in the sand.”
Over the weekend, North Korea launched a failed missile test amid rising tensions on the peninsula. The White House has called on China to use its influence with Pyongyang in order to nudge Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s strong-armed leader, to abandon his nuclear ambitions and end his weapons tests.
“We’re going to continue to urge China to exhibit its influence in the region,” Spicer said.
Trump pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month to step up pressure on North Korea when the two leaders met at Trump’s estate in Palm Beach, Fla.
In the weeks since, China has turned away North Korean coal shipments, and Spicer noted the trade relationship between China and North Korea as an area of focus for U.S. officials hoping to see more Chinese efforts to pressure Pyongyang.
