Converting Maximum Pressure to Maximum Leverage | 04/09/19
The lack of an agreement between the U.S. and North Korea in Hanoi highlights that sanctions relief will be one of the most challenging issues in negotiations moving forward. The Trump administration has insisted that North Korea fully dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programs before sanctions are relaxed, though this is a non-starter for Kim Jong-un, who has advocated for a step-by-step approach. Extensive international sanctions are impacting the North Korean economy, but pressure alone is unlikely to achieve Washington’s goals.
“Maximum pressure” against North Korea will not mean maximum leverage in negotiations unless it is yielded effectively. This requires a combination of sanctions relief and other inducements with the implicit threat of renewed economic pressure if talks fail to reshape Pyongyang’s interests and motivations while benefitting the security of the U.S. and its allies.
Please join KEI for a presentation by Daniel Wertz on the principles that should guide the Trump administration’s sanctions policy and recommendations for how these should be applied in talks with North Korea.
Featuring
Daniel Wertz
Program Manager,
National Committee on North Korea
With discussant
William Brown
Non-resident Fellow,
Korea Economic Institute of America;
Principal,
Northeast Asia Economics and Intelligence Advisory, LLC
Moderated by
Kyle Ferrier
Director of Academic Affaris and Research,
Korea Economic Institute of America
[Source: Korean Economic Institute]
