As simmering tensions between the United States and North Korea threaten to boil over, Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit to the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Japan Tuesday, telling troops aboard that the president was willing to back diplomatic and economic pressures with military action.
Under leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea has ramped up its programmes, carrying out two nuclear tests and launching some 20 ballistic missiles a year ago alone. But the vice president expressed impatience with the unwillingness of North Korea to move toward ridding itself of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
The vice president said the USA would honor its alliance with Pacific Rim nations and protect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, the sea lanes vital to global shipping where China has been staking claim to disputed territory.
Pence also spoke to U.S. and South Korea business leaders in Seoul, saying that the Trump administration wants to restructure the South Korea-U.S. trade deal, known as 'Korus.' He says the trade deficit with South Korea has doubled since the deal came into effect.
North Korea conducted another banned missile test Sunday - although it reportedly failed nearly immediately after launch - the same day that North Korean state television broadcast an official concert celebrating the birthday of the country's founder Kim Il Sung, which featured graphics depicting a catastrophic missile strike on the U.S.
"At some point in the future, there may be a decision made between our nations to take what we have learned in this dialogue and commence formal negotiations for a free trade agreement", Pence told the press after the meeting.
"The U.S. seeks stronger and more balanced bilateral trade agreements with every country, including Japan", he said.
He added, "Now all options are on the table, and there they will remain".
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Robert Lighthizer, Trump's pick for US trade representative, named Japan as "a primary target" for improving access for American farm products.
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. "The entire centre of gravity has shifted to the region", he said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Pence also emphasized that the USA would uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea - where China's actions in support of its disputed territorial claims have sparked tensions in recent years.
He was speaking just a day after North Korea's state television aired scenes from a musical show marking the birthday of the country's founder that ended with a mock-up video of missiles engulfing the United States in flames. Pence wasn't supposed to walk outside, according to the schedule, but he decided in the moment he wanted to send a message directly to the North Koreans.
Standing on the deck of the aircraft carrier, Pence said that the White House will continue to work with Japan, China and other allies in the region to put pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.
Pence and the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister led the talks and planned to meet again before the end of the year to assess progress.
In part, it is meant to take the place of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the regional trade pact that Trump withdrew from shortly after taking office.
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