Trump apparently threatens to withdraw US troops from South Korea over trade

[DonViejo]

By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN

Updated 8:47 AM ET, Thu March 15, 2018

Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to threaten to withdraw US troops from South Korea if he can't get a better trade deal with Seoul,

In a fundraising speech in Missouri, Trump told donors South Korea had become rich but that American politicians never negotiated better deals, according to audio obtained by The Washington Post and confirmed to CNN by an attendee

"We have a very big trade deficit with them, and we protect them," Trump said, according to audio obtained by the Post. "We lose money on trade, and we lose money on the military."
"We have right now 32,000 soldiers on the border between North and South Korea. Let's see what happens," Trump said.

The President went on to argue, "Our allies care about themselves. They don't care about us."

South Korea declined Thursday to respond to Trump's reported remarks.

more
https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/15/politics/trump-us-troops-south-korea/index.html

[Aristus]

1. So now he's doing Kim Jong Un's bidding, as well as Putin's?

[JI7]

2. I would say this IS Putin's bidding still

[ollie10]

3. yeah....the great deal maker

eyes rolling.....

[dalton99a]

4. Yep.

[PatrickforO]

5. How is this OK????

This guy is fucking DANGEROUS.

[smirkymonkey]

9. No kidding! What the fuck does he think he's doing?

He's treating other countries like they are building contractors who are trying to rip him off. It's insane and this is not how a president behaves. He needs to be stopped before the worst happens.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. So obvious

1. No ambassador for S. Korea
2. Putin helping Kim.
3. Extortion, not negotiation.
4. Mixing purpose of commerce with military protection.

[TheBlackAdder]

7. Dang, buy your iPhones, Samsungs, LGs, iMacs, and most computers now. South Korea makes most chips.

[HipChick]

8. What a fucking menance...

[left-of-center2012]

10. Look for Trump to put tariffs on Korean goods

Cars, phones, electronics, kitchen wares, etc.

[poboy2]

11. Mob protection racket. -nt

[Orsino]

12. Airhead. n/t

[CRK7376]

13. 14 years ago while stationed in Korea

I had to attend a command performance by VP Cheney. It was painful to hear that man speak, but it was a fairly non-partisan speech.. The worst part was when going through the metal detectors, Secret Service confiscated my beloved P38 can opener....it had been on my keyring since basic training back in 1977. I was pissed about losing that P38. WHat a great tool. Fortunately I had a stack of them collected from CRat cases over the years...I still have a few tucked away in the barn somewhere. But now with the MREs, no need for a P38....still helpful as a screwdriver etc.....Fortunately, I never had to order any Soldiers under my command to attend a command performance by any elected officials....So glad I'm retired now. Having to serve as a senior officer anywhere near Trump would be extremely hazardous to my health.....my mental health is already seriously screwed up over this clown.....