Trump praises trade deal with South Korea

The Trump administration is turning to allies in Asia and Europe for trade deals as USA relations with China deteriorate and the two world's largest economies exchange tit-for-tat tariffs that risk damaging global commerce.

South Korea wasn't at the table when military commanders from the US -led United Nations Command and the joint Chinese-North Korean forces signed the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War. -South Korea free-trade agreement. "The North Koreans view their capability as leverage and I don't think that they want to give it up easily".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (pahm-PAY'-oh) said Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, "We've been at this the other way an awfully long time and failed".

USA intelligence agencies have said that North Korea, which has not tested a ballistic missile since agreeing to the summit months ago, continues to work on technical advancements in its nuclear arsenal in secret.

Moon said: "I'm hopeful that this will provide us with a platform, upon which our bilateral economic ties will be elevated to a higher level, in a freer, fairer and more mutually beneficial direction".

Efforts to resume economic cooperation are limited by US -led sanctions linked to the North's banned nuclear weapons program. Abe stands first among world leaders in cultivating a close relationship with the president through displays of flattery that he has used to advance his efforts to influence the unpredictable American leader.

"We've imposed very stringent sanctions on Iran, more are coming, and what we expect from Iran is massive changes in their behavior", he said.

Pompeo has proposed a meeting with Ri at the General Assembly this week.

Trump said Monday he hopes to meet with Kim again "quite soon". "This is one year later, a very different time". Mr. Moon is expected to convey to Mr. Trump a personal message from Mr. Kim delivered at their inter-Korean talks last week.

Mr. Trump is set to meet with South Korea's Moon Jae-in later on Monday to discuss North Korea and trade details.

President Trump attends a meeting on the global drug problem at the United Nations, with U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a day ahead of the official opening of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, on Monday, in New York City.

There may be indications North Korea is finally getting serious about giving up its nuclear arsenal in order to improve the lives of its citizens.

While meeting with Moon, the North Korean leader offered to dismantle his country's missile engine test facility and missile launch pads in Dongchang-ri, known to be the testbed for long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental US.

Trump earlier this year bucked allies and removed the USA from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, citing Iran's malign influence in the region and support for terrorist groups like Hezbollah.