WASHINGTON: The United States is 鈥渢otally prepared鈥� to respond to threats from Pyongyang, US President Donald Trump said in an interview aired Sunday, while also emphasizing his 鈥渆xceptional relationship鈥� with China鈥檚 leader.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so prepared like you wouldn鈥檛 believe,鈥� Trump told the Fox News program Sunday Morning Futures while discussing tensions with North Korea, which have soared over Pyongyang鈥檚 nuclear program.
鈥淵ou would be shocked to see how totally prepared we are if we need to be,鈥� said Trump, who has in recent months engaged in a fiery verbal tit-for-tat with North Korea鈥檚 leader.
鈥淲ould it be nice not to do that? The answer is yes,鈥� Trump went on, appearing to allude to potential conflict.
鈥淲ill that happen? Who knows,鈥� the US president said.
The North has drawn international ire in recent months for conducting a sixth nuclear test and tests of long-range missiles capable of striking the US mainland.
Asked about US policy toward China, the North鈥檚 longtime ally, Trump praised Beijing for 鈥渉elping鈥� the US by enforcing sanctions against Pyongyang.
鈥淗e鈥檚 for China. And I鈥檓 for the US,鈥� he said of Chinese President Xi Jinping. 鈥淏ut we do have a very good 鈥� I would say an exceptional relationship. And China鈥檚 really helping us. With respect to North Korea.鈥�
鈥淐hina is big stuff,鈥� he added, saying Xi has 鈥済ot the power to do something very significant with respect to North Korea.鈥�
In a separate development, former US president Jimmy Carter told The New York Times he has offered to go to North Korea on behalf of the White House to try to allay rising tensions, though he has not been asked.
The 93-year-old Democrat, who was president from 1977 to 1981, said he had told the Republican president鈥檚 National Security Adviser HR McMaster that he 鈥渨as available if they ever need me.鈥�