President Trump told British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday he is not interested in diplomatic discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to a White House statement issued Wednesday.
“President Trump reiterated that now is not the time to talk to North Korea, and made clear that all options remain open to defend the United States and its allies against North Korean aggression,” the White House Office of the Press Secretary said in a statement about the call.
On Sept. 3, North Korea claimed to have tested a hydrogen bomb. Trump and May both agreed the recent test “only strengthens the world’s determination to confront the growing North Korean threat.”
The two also pledged to work together on increasing diplomatic and economic pressure on the country, despite Trump’s message that now is not the time to talk.
Trump also spoke with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about the test and vowed to intensify joint efforts to denuclearize North Korea. They also talked about other foreign policy issues.
Trump announced Tuesday his administration will permit U.S. allies Japan and South Korea to purchase a higher-than-expected amount of high-tech military equipment as the countries move to contain North Korea.
