Amid rising tensions between the United States and North Korea, Vice President Mike Pence visited South Korea in a symbolic show of resolve, declaring that the United States would not negotiate with the rogue nation "at this time" and assuring thousands of US sailors and regional military partners during a visit to the USS Ronald Reagan in Yokosuka, Japan, that "the sword stands ready".
"We will defeat any attack and meet any use of conventional or nuclear weapons with an overwhelming and effective American response", the Vice President said, to applause from the hundreds of U.S. and Japanese troops gathered on the deck.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is making a pitch for President Donald Trump's economic policies, telling U.S. and Japanese business leaders that a tax overhaul and cut in regulations will help business on both sides of the Pacific.
Pence said the North represents the most risky and most immediate threat in the Asia-Pacific and President Donald Trump is determined to confront that threat by marshaling unprecedented cooperation with allies in the region, China and the world.
A Japanese official says a difference in approach remains with the US despite an agreement on a framework for new bilateral economic talks.
Pence repeated the phrase in South Korea, the first stop on his tour, and again during his speech aboard the Ronald Reagan.
The U.S. military says an aircraft carrier participated in curtailed training with Australia before starting its journey north toward the Korean Peninsula. Days later, in response to a question about the warships, Trump told the Fox Business Network that the USA was "sending an armada, very powerful" to North Korea.
This new stance Pence described, if it becomes formal USA government policy, not only breaks from decades of Washington orthodoxy and conventional wisdom; it also may place the United States in a different position than its key Asian allies.
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He said that under President Donald Trump, the USA will stand up to its enemies with its allies.
"That kind of economic and diplomatic pressure will result we hope in the regime in Pyongyang forfeiting their ambitions, forfeiting their nuclear weapons program and joining the family of nations", he told CNN.
The Trump administration has signaled a forceful US stance on North Korea's recent actions, dispatching Pence to the Demilitarized Zone dividing North and South Korea on Monday in a show of American resolve.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Japanese leaders have begun talks expected to focus largely on trade with America's anchor ally in the region, though tensions with North Korea loomed large.
He also said, "We are with you 100 percent", adding that the USA always seeks peace.
"But at the same time", the prime minister said, "dialogue for the sake of dialogue is valueless and it is necessary for us to exercise pressure North Korea so that it comes forward and engages in this serious dialogue".
After the announcement, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster said it was a "prudent" decision to send the ships to waters off the Korean Peninsula to deter the North. But the South Korean people are choosing a new president next month and there's a high likelihood the incoming government in Seoul will seek engagement and diplomacy with Pyongyang that would run counter to the strategy Pence is articulating. Pyongyang said it is ready for a war if the USA takes military action.
White House officials say the meetings in Tokyo are meant to forge a framework for future discussions after the USA withdrew from a Pacific Rim trade pact.
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