Several small explosions were heard in Bangkok in at least three locations on Friday and police said that two street cleaners were injured&nbsp;by what appeared to be a homemade bomb.

Thai police said they were investigating the cause of the explosions. Some explosions were heard at a government office and others near at least two other sites near central Bangkok.

Meanwhile, the Thai government confirmed a number of small "bombing incidents" in Bangkok as the city hosts a major summit, urging the public not to panic as police tighten security.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha was told of "the bombing incidents and has ordered an immediate investigation", spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said, adding "security measures have been tightened. The public is urged not to panic."

Bangkok is currently hosting a regional security meeting of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/external-affairs-minister-s-jaishankar-to-meet-pompeo-today-240045">foreign ministers from the Association</a> of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their counterparts from world powers including the United States, China and Russia.

A senior police officer said two street cleaners were injured by what appeared to have been a homemade bomb in the Suan Luang district.

On Thursday, Thai police said they had found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of the regional security meeting. The packages prompted a brief security scare but were quickly deemed harmless. It was unclear whether the meeting was the target.

Police said two men had been arrested in connection with the fake bombs.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi and US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are attending the forum along with other regional and global officials.

Several small explosions were heard in Bangkok in at least three locations on Friday and police said that two street cleaners were injured by what appeared to be a homemade bomb.

Several small explosions were heard in Bangkok in at least three locations on Friday and police said that two street cleaners were injured by what appeared to be a homemade bomb. Thai police said they were investigating the cause of the explosions. Some explosions were heard at a government office and others near at least two other sites near central Bangkok. Meanwhile, the Thai government confirmed a number of small "bombing incidents" in Bangkok as the city hosts a major summit, urging the public not to panic as police tighten security. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha was told of "the bombing incidents and has ordered an immediate investigation", spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said, adding "security measures have been tightened. The public is urged not to panic." Bangkok is currently hosting a regional security meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their counterparts from world powers including the United States, China and Russia. A senior police officer said two street cleaners were injured by what appeared to have been a homemade bomb in the Suan Luang district. On Thursday, Thai police said they had found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of the regional security meeting. The packages prompted a brief security scare but were quickly deemed harmless. It was unclear whether the meeting was the target. Police said two men had been arrested in connection with the fake bombs. China's top diplomat Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are attending the forum along with other regional and global officials.

Small explosions in Bangkok as city hosts ASEAN foreign ministers' meet

India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S&nbsp;Jaishankar&nbsp;met&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-taken-advantage-of-trade-time-for-it-to-stop-pompeo-at-foreign-ministers-meeting-in-bangkok-240069">US secretary of state&nbsp;Mike&nbsp;Pompeo</a>&nbsp;on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' meet in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday.

No readouts have been issued by New Delhi and Washington but both sides are expected to have&nbsp;discussed issues of concerns like trade and convergences like Indo-Pacific.

The meet comes even as US President raked up Kashmir for the second time saying, "It’s really up to Prime Minister Modi (to accept the offer of mediation)."

Trump in response to a question said, "I think they are fantastic people - Khan and Modi - I mean. I would imagine they could get along very well, but if they wanted somebody to intervene, to help them. And I spoke with Pakistan about that and I spoke frankly in India about it."

Adding, "If I can, if they wanted me to, I would certainly intervene."

Ten days&nbsp;ago&nbsp;US President Donald Trump, while sitting next to Pakistani PM Imran Khan said PM Modi had called for mediation on Kashmir&nbsp;during Trump-Modi bilateral on the sidelines of Osaka G20 summit.

This was dismissed by the Indian side with EAM Jaishankar speaking in the Parliament saying all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan are governed by Shimla and Lahore agreements under which no third&nbsp;party mediation will be allowed.&nbsp;

Jaishankar is in Bangkok for the two-day summit (August 1 and 2) to&nbsp;participate in a number of ASEAN plus gatherings. Earlier on Friday, he&nbsp;participated at&nbsp;the&nbsp;9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers'&nbsp;Meeting (EAS FMM) and will later participate at the 26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The external affairs minister on the first day of his visit addressed&nbsp;ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting and&nbsp;10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting and met ten&nbsp;of his counterparts.&nbsp;

These were&nbsp;Thai FM Don Pramudwinai, New Zealand FM Winston Peters,&nbsp;High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy&nbsp; Federica Mogherini, Japan FM Taro Kono, Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr, Indonesian FM Retno Marsudi, British FS Dominic Raab,&nbsp;Singapore's FM Vivian Balakrishnan,&nbsp;&nbsp;Foreign Minister of Australia Marise Payne and&nbsp;Chinese FM Wang Yi.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jaishankar will be going&nbsp;to China later this month for a&nbsp;preparatory visit for the 2nd India-China informal summit that will happen by the end of this year.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' meet in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday.

India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' meet in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday. No readouts have been issued by New Delhi and Washington but both sides are expected to have discussed issues of concerns like trade and convergences like Indo-Pacific. The meet comes even as US President raked up Kashmir for the second time saying, "It’s really up to Prime Minister Modi (to accept the offer of mediation)." Trump in response to a question said, "I think they are fantastic people - Khan and Modi - I mean. I would imagine they could get along very well, but if they wanted somebody to intervene, to help them. And I spoke with Pakistan about that and I spoke frankly in India about it." Adding, "If I can, if they wanted me to, I would certainly intervene." Ten days ago US President Donald Trump, while sitting next to Pakistani PM Imran Khan said PM Modi had called for mediation on Kashmir during Trump-Modi bilateral on the sidelines of Osaka G20 summit. This was dismissed by the Indian side with EAM Jaishankar speaking in the Parliament saying all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan are governed by Shimla and Lahore agreements under which no third party mediation will be allowed. Jaishankar is in Bangkok for the two-day summit (August 1 and 2) to participate in a number of ASEAN plus gatherings. Earlier on Friday, he participated at the 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting (EAS FMM) and will later participate at the 26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The external affairs minister on the first day of his visit addressed ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting and 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting and met ten of his counterparts. These were Thai FM Don Pramudwinai, New Zealand FM Winston Peters, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Japan FM Taro Kono, Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr, Indonesian FM Retno Marsudi, British FS Dominic Raab, Singapore's FM Vivian Balakrishnan, Foreign Minister of Australia Marise Payne and Chinese FM Wang Yi. Jaishankar will be going to China later this month for a preparatory visit for the 2nd India-China informal summit that will happen by the end of this year.

India's foreign minister S Jaishankar meets Pompeo at ASEAN ministerial meet in Bangkok

China warned on Friday it will take "countermeasures" if the United States follows through on its threat to impose <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-hit-300-billion-worth-of-chinese-goods-with-10-tariff-donald-trump-240021">tariffs on $300 billion</a> in Chinese goods in an escalation of their trade war.

The commerce ministry said in a statement that President Donald Trump's move to impose the new tariffs on September 1 was a "serious violation" of a truce that was reached with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in June.

It did not specify what kind of countermeasures it would take, but in the past China has hinted that it could restrict exports of rare earths that are vital to the US technology industry, and it is also drawing up a blacklist of "unreliable" foreign companies.

Earlier, China's foreign minister had said tariffs were "not a constructive" way to solve the US trade war after President Donald Trump threatened to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods with new duties.

"Slapping on tariffs is definitely not a constructive way to resolve economic and trade frictions, it's not the correct way," Wang Yi said on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asia's top diplomats in Bangkok, according to footage broadcast on a Chinese television station.

US President Donald Trump had announced on Thursday he will hit China with punitive tariffs on another $300 billion in goods, prompting Beijing to warn it was the wrong way to resolve the trade war.

The sudden deterioration meant the world's two largest economies have now erected trade barriers covering virtually all of their $660 billion in annual trade in merchandise - confirming economists' fears and sending shudders through Wall Street.

The 10 per cent duties will take effect September 1, and come on top of the 25 per cent tariffs on $250 billion in imports already in place.

He later raised the possibility he could increase the duties further.

China warned on Friday it will take "countermeasures" if the United States follows through on its threat to impose tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese goods in an escalation of their trade war.

China warned on Friday it will take "countermeasures" if the United States follows through on its threat to impose tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese goods in an escalation of their trade war. The commerce ministry said in a statement that President Donald Trump's move to impose the new tariffs on September 1 was a "serious violation" of a truce that was reached with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in June. It did not specify what kind of countermeasures it would take, but in the past China has hinted that it could restrict exports of rare earths that are vital to the US technology industry, and it is also drawing up a blacklist of "unreliable" foreign companies. Earlier, China's foreign minister had said tariffs were "not a constructive" way to solve the US trade war after President Donald Trump threatened to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods with new duties. "Slapping on tariffs is definitely not a constructive way to resolve economic and trade frictions, it's not the correct way," Wang Yi said on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asia's top diplomats in Bangkok, according to footage broadcast on a Chinese television station. US President Donald Trump had announced on Thursday he will hit China with punitive tariffs on another $300 billion in goods, prompting Beijing to warn it was the wrong way to resolve the trade war. The sudden deterioration meant the world's two largest economies have now erected trade barriers covering virtually all of their $660 billion in annual trade in merchandise - confirming economists' fears and sending shudders through Wall Street. The 10 per cent duties will take effect September 1, and come on top of the 25 per cent tariffs on $250 billion in imports already in place. He later raised the possibility he could increase the duties further.

US tariffs serious violation, will take countermeasures: China

A Chinese billionaire has been indicted by a grand jury on charges he schemed with the aluminum company he founded to evade $1.8 billion of tariffs by smuggling huge amounts of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-tariff-hike-on-remaining-chinese-imports-217758">metal into the United States</a>, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Liu Zhongtian, 55, and China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd, where he served as chairman and president, were among several defendants charged in a 24-count indictment by a Los Angeles grand jury.

The May 7 indictment had been kept under seal until late Tuesday. It came as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tariffs-will-bring-in-far-more-wealth-to-our-country-than-even-phenomenal-deal-of-traditional-kind-donald-trump-217507">US and Chinese negotiators </a>resumed talks to end trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

Neither Zhongwang or Liu, who is still the company's controlling shareholder, have received any notice of the proceedings, the company said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Thursday.

Zhongwang has previously described smuggling allegations as "misleading" and "without any factual basis."

"The company would like to clarify that the group has always strictly abided by in its business operation the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and destination countries of its exported products, and has developed overseas markets under the principle of fair and orderly competition," it said in the statement to the exchange.

Zhongwang's shares fell as much as 20.9 per cent on Thursday to HK$3.17 ($0.41), the lowest since January 2016.

Liu is believed to be in China, which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, and an arrest warrant has been drawn up, according to The Wall Street Journal. It was unclear whether Liu has a US-based lawyer. Liu and his family are worth $3.2 billion, Forbes magazine said.

Prosecutors said the alleged scheme began as early as 2008, and eventually involved efforts to escape duties imposed by the US Department of Commerce in 2011 on various types of extruded aluminum imported from China.

The indictment said companies affiliated with Liu went through ports in the Los Angeles area to import aluminum extrusions that were "tack-welded" together, to appear as finished "pallets" that were not subject to duties.

Prosecutors said Liu would then stockpile the aluminum at four southern California warehouses, and with his associates orchestrate bogus sales to companies he controlled to inflate Zhongwang's financials and make it appear more valuable.

Liu, also known as "Big Boss" and "Uncle Liu" according to the indictment, was also accused by prosecutors of running a "massive" money laundering operation involving the use of shell companies to transfer funds to Zhongwang.

US authorities said the scheme gave Liu's companies an unfair advantage over American rivals and posed other hazards.

"Our national security is jeopardized when domestic industry loses its ability to develop and supply products for US defense and critical infrastructure applications, forcing us to become dependent on unreliable imports," Joseph Macias, special agent in charge for homeland security investigations in Los Angeles, said in a statement.

Liu and several other defendants face charges of wire fraud, money laundering, passing fraudulent papers through a customhouse and conspiracy.

Most counts carry a maximum 20-year prison term, and if served consecutively carry a maximum 465-year term.

A Chinese billionaire has been indicted by a grand jury on charges he schemed with the aluminum company he founded to evade $1.8 billion of tariffs by smuggling huge amounts of the metal into the United States, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.

A Chinese billionaire has been indicted by a grand jury on charges he schemed with the aluminum company he founded to evade $1.8 billion of tariffs by smuggling huge amounts of the metal into the United States, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday. Liu Zhongtian, 55, and China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd, where he served as chairman and president, were among several defendants charged in a 24-count indictment by a Los Angeles grand jury. The May 7 indictment had been kept under seal until late Tuesday. It came as US and Chinese negotiators resumed talks to end trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Neither Zhongwang or Liu, who is still the company's controlling shareholder, have received any notice of the proceedings, the company said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Thursday. Zhongwang has previously described smuggling allegations as "misleading" and "without any factual basis." "The company would like to clarify that the group has always strictly abided by in its business operation the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and destination countries of its exported products, and has developed overseas markets under the principle of fair and orderly competition," it said in the statement to the exchange. Zhongwang's shares fell as much as 20.9 per cent on Thursday to HK$3.17 ($0.41), the lowest since January 2016. Liu is believed to be in China, which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, and an arrest warrant has been drawn up, according to The Wall Street Journal. It was unclear whether Liu has a US-based lawyer. Liu and his family are worth $3.2 billion, Forbes magazine said. Prosecutors said the alleged scheme began as early as 2008, and eventually involved efforts to escape duties imposed by the US Department of Commerce in 2011 on various types of extruded aluminum imported from China. The indictment said companies affiliated with Liu went through ports in the Los Angeles area to import aluminum extrusions that were "tack-welded" together, to appear as finished "pallets" that were not subject to duties. Prosecutors said Liu would then stockpile the aluminum at four southern California warehouses, and with his associates orchestrate bogus sales to companies he controlled to inflate Zhongwang's financials and make it appear more valuable. Liu, also known as "Big Boss" and "Uncle Liu" according to the indictment, was also accused by prosecutors of running a "massive" money laundering operation involving the use of shell companies to transfer funds to Zhongwang. US authorities said the scheme gave Liu's companies an unfair advantage over American rivals and posed other hazards. "Our national security is jeopardized when domestic industry loses its ability to develop and supply products for US defense and critical infrastructure applications, forcing us to become dependent on unreliable imports," Joseph Macias, special agent in charge for homeland security investigations in Los Angeles, said in a statement. Liu and several other defendants face charges of wire fraud, money laundering, passing fraudulent papers through a customhouse and conspiracy. Most counts carry a maximum 20-year prison term, and if served consecutively carry a maximum 465-year term.

Chinese billionaire indicted in US for alleged $1.8 billion aluminum tariff evasion

The ninth East <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/s-jaishankar-likely-to-meet-mike-pompeo-in-bangkok-239751">Asia Summit Foreign Ministers</a> meeting got underway in Bangkok on Thursday&nbsp;with India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar taking part in the two-day summit.&nbsp;

Jaishankar met the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of New Zealand Winston Peters and shared the Indo-Pacific approach including upgrading economic and political ties.

Earlier, India's foreign minister met Thailand's foreign minister Don Pramudwinai as&nbsp;both ministers'&nbsp;discussed&nbsp;maritime partnership, BIMSTEC cooperation and partnering in Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).

India's foreign minister will also be meeting US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in a pull aside with experts keen to understand US view of President Trump on Kashmir after he told PM Imran Khan that the US was ready to intervene to solve the J&amp;K issue, contrary to India's position which has consistently called it a bilateral issue.

During the ministerial meeting, Jaishankar is also expected to meet UK's new foreign secretary Dominic Raab and the British envoy to India Dominic Asquith including foreign minister of Sri Lanka&nbsp;Tilak Marapan.

There are thirteen foreign ministers taking part in the international ministerial meet.&nbsp;Jaishankar will also participate in the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting,&nbsp;26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) &amp; 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting.

The ninth East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting got underway in Bangkok on Thursday with India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar taking part in the two-day summit.

The ninth East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting got underway in Bangkok on Thursday with India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar taking part in the two-day summit. Jaishankar met the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of New Zealand Winston Peters and shared the Indo-Pacific approach including upgrading economic and political ties. Earlier, India's foreign minister met Thailand's foreign minister Don Pramudwinai as both ministers' discussed maritime partnership, BIMSTEC cooperation and partnering in Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). India's foreign minister will also be meeting US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in a pull aside with experts keen to understand US view of President Trump on Kashmir after he told PM Imran Khan that the US was ready to intervene to solve the J&K issue, contrary to India's position which has consistently called it a bilateral issue. During the ministerial meeting, Jaishankar is also expected to meet UK's new foreign secretary Dominic Raab and the British envoy to India Dominic Asquith including foreign minister of Sri Lanka Tilak Marapan. There are thirteen foreign ministers taking part in the international ministerial meet. Jaishankar will also participate in the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting, 26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) & 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting.

Jaishankar meets New Zealand & Thailand foreign ministers in East Asia foreign ministers' summit

The United States will officially withdraw from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-breakthrough-with-russia-on-inf-treaty-dispute-natos-stoltenberg-233321">Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces</a> (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia -&nbsp;and throwing China into the mix.

The treaty -&nbsp;concluded by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987 -- limited the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inf-treaty-with-russia-has-been-invalidated-germany-194404">Cold War powers' medium-range</a> missiles, both conventional and nuclear.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump's administration announced its intention to ditch the agreement, accusing Moscow of repeatedly violating its terms -&nbsp;a charge Russia denied.

"I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently.

"The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd -- and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers.

Washington formally launched the procedure of leaving the treaty on February 1 -- a six-month process.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill suspending Moscow's participation on July 3.&nbsp;

Unless something changes in the coming days, the mutual withdrawal will spell the end of the deal, which eliminated a range of missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310-3,420 miles).&nbsp;

That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe.

Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement.

Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometers -- within INF parameters.

In the end, the death of the INF Treaty suits Washington just fine, as former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July.

"From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike."

The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernise its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia.

"Most of China's inventory is of intermediate range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said.

The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe, but made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons.

Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation.

"The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert.

For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the US must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies.

Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands.

"It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks.

"Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression."

Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley.

When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region. 
&nbsp;

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix.

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix. The treaty - concluded by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987 -- limited the Cold War powers' medium-range missiles, both conventional and nuclear. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump's administration announced its intention to ditch the agreement, accusing Moscow of repeatedly violating its terms - a charge Russia denied. "I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently. "The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd -- and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers. Washington formally launched the procedure of leaving the treaty on February 1 -- a six-month process. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill suspending Moscow's participation on July 3. Unless something changes in the coming days, the mutual withdrawal will spell the end of the deal, which eliminated a range of missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310-3,420 miles). That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe. Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement. Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometers -- within INF parameters. In the end, the death of the INF Treaty suits Washington just fine, as former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July. "From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations. "We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike." The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernise its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia. "Most of China's inventory is of intermediate range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said. The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe, but made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons. Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation. "The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert. For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the US must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies. Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands. "It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks. "Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression." Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley. When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region.

'It only works if both parties comply': US prepares to pull out from INF treaty with Russia

China said Thursday that it had begun purchasing more <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-sense-for-us-to-exercise-maximum-pressure-says-china-as-trade-meeting-ends-239682">US farm goods as the two</a> economic giants restarted thorny trade talks with face-to-face negotiations in Shanghai this week.

Chinese enterprises had approached US suppliers to discuss purchasing a variety of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-talks-begin-amid-trumps-threat-of-tougher-deal-ahead-239601">agricultural products</a> since mid-July, commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a regular press briefing.

Companies "have already purchased some agricultural products," he added.

Earlier, White House had said Chinese officials had reiterated a promise to buy US farm exports, a sign of possible progress following negotiations.

"The Chinese side confirmed their commitment to increase purchases of United States agricultural exports," the White House said in a statement, offering hope to an American industry badly battered in the two countries' trade war.

The talks were "constructive" and a new round of negotiations is set to be held in Washington in early September, the statement said.

US and Chinese negotiators agreed to meet again in the United States in September after holding "frank" and "constructive" talks in Shanghai on Wednesday, state media said following meetings overshadowed by a Twitter tirade from President Donald Trump.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with Vice Premier Liu He in the Chinese financial hub for the first face-to-face negotiations since a trade war truce was declared last month.

"The two sides conducted frank, highly efficient and constructive in-depth exchanges on major issues of common interest in the economic and trade field," according to the official Xinhua news agency, adding that the purchase of US agricultural goods by China was discussed.

Washington and Beijing have so far hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade in a row focused on demands for China to curb the alleged theft of American technology and provide a level playing field to US companies.

China said Thursday that it had begun purchasing more US farm goods as the two economic giants restarted thorny trade talks with face-to-face negotiations in Shanghai this week.

China said Thursday that it had begun purchasing more US farm goods as the two economic giants restarted thorny trade talks with face-to-face negotiations in Shanghai this week. Chinese enterprises had approached US suppliers to discuss purchasing a variety of agricultural products since mid-July, commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a regular press briefing. Companies "have already purchased some agricultural products," he added. Earlier, White House had said Chinese officials had reiterated a promise to buy US farm exports, a sign of possible progress following negotiations. "The Chinese side confirmed their commitment to increase purchases of United States agricultural exports," the White House said in a statement, offering hope to an American industry badly battered in the two countries' trade war. The talks were "constructive" and a new round of negotiations is set to be held in Washington in early September, the statement said. US and Chinese negotiators agreed to meet again in the United States in September after holding "frank" and "constructive" talks in Shanghai on Wednesday, state media said following meetings overshadowed by a Twitter tirade from President Donald Trump. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with Vice Premier Liu He in the Chinese financial hub for the first face-to-face negotiations since a trade war truce was declared last month. "The two sides conducted frank, highly efficient and constructive in-depth exchanges on major issues of common interest in the economic and trade field," according to the official Xinhua news agency, adding that the purchase of US agricultural goods by China was discussed. Washington and Beijing have so far hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade in a row focused on demands for China to curb the alleged theft of American technology and provide a level playing field to US companies.

Have begun purchasing farm goods, says China after resuming trade talks with US

Then-California governor Ronald Reagan made racist remarks about Africans, calling them "monkeys" in a newly-discovered taped conversation with US president Richard Nixon.

The tape of the October 1971 phone call was unearthed by Tim Naftali, former director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, and his findings were published online on Wednesday in The Atlantic magazine.

The tape is of a call Reagan placed to Nixon after the United Nations voted to recognise the People's Republic of China.

Reagan, who went on to win the presidency in 1980, was an ardent defender of Taiwan and called Nixon to vent his anger at the African nations which defied the United States and voted at the UN to grant recognition to the People's Republic.

In the call, Reagan criticises the African countries which sided against the United States.

"Last night, I tell you, to watch that thing on television as I did," &nbsp;Reagan said.

"Yeah," Nixon said.

Reagan continued: "To see those, those monkeys from those African countries -- damn them, they’re still uncomfortable wearing shoes!"

Nixon responds with a huge guffaw and went on to gleefully repeat Reagan's remarks in other taped conversations with his advisers.

Naftali, who is now an associate professor at New York University, said the portion of the tape containing Reagan's remarks was initially withheld to protect his privacy but the complete version was released by the National Archives two weeks ago.

President Donald Trump has been accused of repeatedly making racist remarks and was rebuked recently by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives over "racist comments" he made about four minority Democratic lawmakers. 
&nbsp;

Then-California governor Ronald Reagan made racist remarks about Africans, calling them "monkeys" in a newly-discovered taped conversation with US president Richard Nixon.

Then-California governor Ronald Reagan made racist remarks about Africans, calling them "monkeys" in a newly-discovered taped conversation with US president Richard Nixon. The tape of the October 1971 phone call was unearthed by Tim Naftali, former director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, and his findings were published online on Wednesday in The Atlantic magazine. The tape is of a call Reagan placed to Nixon after the United Nations voted to recognise the People's Republic of China. Reagan, who went on to win the presidency in 1980, was an ardent defender of Taiwan and called Nixon to vent his anger at the African nations which defied the United States and voted at the UN to grant recognition to the People's Republic. In the call, Reagan criticises the African countries which sided against the United States. "Last night, I tell you, to watch that thing on television as I did," Reagan said. "Yeah," Nixon said. Reagan continued: "To see those, those monkeys from those African countries -- damn them, they’re still uncomfortable wearing shoes!" Nixon responds with a huge guffaw and went on to gleefully repeat Reagan's remarks in other taped conversations with his advisers. Naftali, who is now an associate professor at New York University, said the portion of the tape containing Reagan's remarks was initially withheld to protect his privacy but the complete version was released by the National Archives two weeks ago. President Donald Trump has been accused of repeatedly making racist remarks and was rebuked recently by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives over "racist comments" he made about four minority Democratic lawmakers.

Those 'monkeys' from those African countries, said Ronald Reagan to ex-President Nixon in 1971

China stepped up pressure on Taiwan Wednesday as it announced the suspension of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deeply-concerned-over-us-warship-sailing-through-taiwan-strait-china-238390">individual travel permits</a> to the self-ruled democratic island "due to current cross-strait relations".

A programme had allowed Chinese citizens in 47 mainland cities to apply for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-of-war-in-case-of-move-towards-taiwan-independence-238135">permits to visit Taiwan</a> on their own instead of visiting on group tours.

But the tourism ministry said in a brief statement that their issuance would be suspended from Thursday "due to current cross-strait relations".

Relations between Communist-ruled Beijing and Taipei have plummeted since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 because her party refuses to recognise the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China".

As punishment, Beijing has cut official communications, ramped up military exercises, poached diplomatic allies and ratcheted up economic pressure on the island.&nbsp;

China is holding military exercises in the East China Sea and the South China Sea near Taiwan this week, days after a defence white paper said Beijing would not rule out retaking the island by force.

The China Maritime Safety Administration issued notices on Sunday and Monday warning against entering broad swaths of airspace and waters off the coast of eastern Zhejiang and southern Guangdong provinces due to "military activity".

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting unification, even though the two sides have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949.

The defence white paper published last week stressed Beijing's willingness to use force to thwart any move towards the self-ruled island's independence.

China stepped up pressure on Taiwan Wednesday as it announced the suspension of individual travel permits to the self-ruled democratic island "due to current cross-strait relations".

China stepped up pressure on Taiwan Wednesday as it announced the suspension of individual travel permits to the self-ruled democratic island "due to current cross-strait relations". A programme had allowed Chinese citizens in 47 mainland cities to apply for permits to visit Taiwan on their own instead of visiting on group tours. But the tourism ministry said in a brief statement that their issuance would be suspended from Thursday "due to current cross-strait relations". Relations between Communist-ruled Beijing and Taipei have plummeted since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 because her party refuses to recognise the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China". As punishment, Beijing has cut official communications, ramped up military exercises, poached diplomatic allies and ratcheted up economic pressure on the island. China is holding military exercises in the East China Sea and the South China Sea near Taiwan this week, days after a defence white paper said Beijing would not rule out retaking the island by force. The China Maritime Safety Administration issued notices on Sunday and Monday warning against entering broad swaths of airspace and waters off the coast of eastern Zhejiang and southern Guangdong provinces due to "military activity". Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting unification, even though the two sides have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949. The defence white paper published last week stressed Beijing's willingness to use force to thwart any move towards the self-ruled island's independence.

Suspended individual travel permits to Taiwan 'due to current cross-strait relations': China

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted that seventy&nbsp;per cent of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/80-pakistanis-are-traitors-former-cm-of-balochistan-222955">Balochistan</a> is impoverished at the National Minority Day event on Monday.

"Balochistan is impoverished," the Pakistan prime minister said, adding, "Pakistan has always neglected the region."

Imran Khan further said why would the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/balochistan-is-gripped-by-fear-and-uncertainty-206246">Baloch population</a> fight for Pakistan when the state neglected&nbsp;them.

Balochistan is famous for its port city of Gwadar, which features the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major investment project as well as a geostrategic asset for China to strengthen its military prowess in the South Asian region.

"70% of Balochistan is reeling under poverty. The situation is the same in Sindh. These people are backward, why will they fight for Pakistan when the state neglects them. They don't have any stake in the state. Balochistan has no reason to be in Pakistan," Imran Khan said during his speech.

Balochistan has witnessed years of brutal crackdown.&nbsp;

Mass graves were found in Balochistan for the first time in 2014 in Turbat, and since then, every year the people of the region discovered similar graves in different areas, according to a report in May.

Independent investigations and international humanitarian organisations' access to the areas in question has been banned for 'security reasons'.

This is not the first time the Pakistan prime minister has spoken about Balochistan. In March, Imran Khan had pitched for "inclusive development" in Balochistan while addressing a medical complex in the region.

"We have to make sure that development is inclusive. The more we focus on Balochistan, the more it will develop and Pakistan along with it," the Pakistan prime minister had said.

During his visit, the Pakistan prime minister had laid the foundation stone for a new international airport at Gwadar which he said would be the country's largest airport.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted that seventy per cent of Balochistan is impoverished at the National Minority Day event on Monday. "Balochistan is impoverished," the Pakistan prime minister said, adding, "Pakistan has always neglected the region.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted that seventy per cent of Balochistan is impoverished at the National Minority Day event on Monday. "Balochistan is impoverished," the Pakistan prime minister said, adding, "Pakistan has always neglected the region." Imran Khan further said why would the Baloch population fight for Pakistan when the state neglected them. Balochistan is famous for its port city of Gwadar, which features the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major investment project as well as a geostrategic asset for China to strengthen its military prowess in the South Asian region. "70% of Balochistan is reeling under poverty. The situation is the same in Sindh. These people are backward, why will they fight for Pakistan when the state neglects them. They don't have any stake in the state. Balochistan has no reason to be in Pakistan," Imran Khan said during his speech. Balochistan has witnessed years of brutal crackdown. Mass graves were found in Balochistan for the first time in 2014 in Turbat, and since then, every year the people of the region discovered similar graves in different areas, according to a report in May. Independent investigations and international humanitarian organisations' access to the areas in question has been banned for 'security reasons'. This is not the first time the Pakistan prime minister has spoken about Balochistan. In March, Imran Khan had pitched for "inclusive development" in Balochistan while addressing a medical complex in the region. "We have to make sure that development is inclusive. The more we focus on Balochistan, the more it will develop and Pakistan along with it," the Pakistan prime minister had said. During his visit, the Pakistan prime minister had laid the foundation stone for a new international airport at Gwadar which he said would be the country's largest airport.

Balochistan is impoverished, Pak has always neglected it, admits PM Imran at National Minority Day event

Top US and Chinese trade officials met in Shanghai on Wednesday for talks in a bid to end a year-long trade war, despite low expectations for progress and combative remarks from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tears-into-china-on-twitter-as-trade-talks-resume-239492">US President Donald Trump</a>.

As US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin landed in the Chinese commercial hub on Tuesday, Trump accused Beijing on Twitter of stalling, and warned of a worse outcome for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-warns-on-us-ban-after-china-smartphone-sales-drive-first-half-revenue-239507">China if it continued to do so</a>.

This week's meetings, the first in-person trade talks since a G20 truce last month, come as an official survey showed China's factory activity shrank for the third month in a row in July, underlining the growing strains placed on the world's second-biggest economy by the trade war.

Vice Premier Liu He met and shook hands with Lighthizer and Mnuchin at Shanghai's Xijiao State Guest Hotel in front of media on Wednesday morning ahead of the day's negotiations, but the officials did not make any public remarks.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fresh-us-china-trade-talks-to-end-trade-war-239425/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The trade row has dragged on for more than a year, with the world's two largest economies slapping billions of dollars of tariffs on each other's imports, disrupting global supply chains and shaking financial markets.

The Shanghai talks were expected to centre on "goodwill" gestures, such as Chinese commitments to purchase US agricultural commodities and steps by the United States to ease some sanctions on Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd.

Trump had said on Twitter that China appeared to be backing off on a pledge to buy US farm goods, and he warned that if China stalled in the hope that he wouldn't win re-election in the November 2020 US presidential contest, the outcome will be worse for China.

"The problem with them waiting ... is that if &amp; when I win, the deal that they get will be much tougher than what we are negotiating now ... or no deal at all," Trump said.

China's state-owned Global Times tabloid said that US negotiators should show sincerity and hold "reasonable expectations" after making "unrealistic demands that infringe upon China's sovereignty and dignity".

It said that if "Washington still holds the illusion that Beijing will somehow cave in and compromise on issues concerning sovereignty and other related core interests to reach a deal, then no deal is fine".

The US and Chinese delegations were scheduled to have had dinner at Shanghai's historic riverfront Fairmont Peace Hotel on Tuesday night, but both teams avoided the media and did not make public comments.

The US Commerce Department put Huawei on a national security blacklist in May, effectively banning US firms from selling to Huawei, a move that enraged Chinese officials.

Trump had agreed last month to allow some sales to Huawei in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but so far, US semiconductor and software makers are still mostly in the dark about the administration's plans.

In Sao Paulo on Tuesday, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said decisions on license applications by US firms to resume some sales to Huawei could come as early as next week.

Top US and Chinese trade officials met in Shanghai on Wednesday for talks in a bid to end a year-long trade war, despite low expectations for progress and combative remarks from US President Donald Trump.

Top US and Chinese trade officials met in Shanghai on Wednesday for talks in a bid to end a year-long trade war, despite low expectations for progress and combative remarks from US President Donald Trump. As US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin landed in the Chinese commercial hub on Tuesday, Trump accused Beijing on Twitter of stalling, and warned of a worse outcome for China if it continued to do so. This week's meetings, the first in-person trade talks since a G20 truce last month, come as an official survey showed China's factory activity shrank for the third month in a row in July, underlining the growing strains placed on the world's second-biggest economy by the trade war. Vice Premier Liu He met and shook hands with Lighthizer and Mnuchin at Shanghai's Xijiao State Guest Hotel in front of media on Wednesday morning ahead of the day's negotiations, but the officials did not make any public remarks. Watch Video: The trade row has dragged on for more than a year, with the world's two largest economies slapping billions of dollars of tariffs on each other's imports, disrupting global supply chains and shaking financial markets. The Shanghai talks were expected to centre on "goodwill" gestures, such as Chinese commitments to purchase US agricultural commodities and steps by the United States to ease some sanctions on Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. Trump had said on Twitter that China appeared to be backing off on a pledge to buy US farm goods, and he warned that if China stalled in the hope that he wouldn't win re-election in the November 2020 US presidential contest, the outcome will be worse for China. "The problem with them waiting ... is that if & when I win, the deal that they get will be much tougher than what we are negotiating now ... or no deal at all," Trump said. China's state-owned Global Times tabloid said that US negotiators should show sincerity and hold "reasonable expectations" after making "unrealistic demands that infringe upon China's sovereignty and dignity". It said that if "Washington still holds the illusion that Beijing will somehow cave in and compromise on issues concerning sovereignty and other related core interests to reach a deal, then no deal is fine". The US and Chinese delegations were scheduled to have had dinner at Shanghai's historic riverfront Fairmont Peace Hotel on Tuesday night, but both teams avoided the media and did not make public comments. The US Commerce Department put Huawei on a national security blacklist in May, effectively banning US firms from selling to Huawei, a move that enraged Chinese officials. Trump had agreed last month to allow some sales to Huawei in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but so far, US semiconductor and software makers are still mostly in the dark about the administration's plans. In Sao Paulo on Tuesday, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said decisions on license applications by US firms to resume some sales to Huawei could come as early as next week.

US, China trade talks begin amid Trump's threat of 'tougher' deal ahead

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, only days after it <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-new-missile-a-solemn-warning-to-south-korean-warmongers-238512">launched two other missiles</a> intended to pressure South Korea and the United States to stop upcoming military drills.

The latest launches were from the Hodo peninsula on North Korea's east coast, the same area from where last week's were conducted, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. It said it was monitoring in case of additional launches.

The JCS in Seoul said later the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles). South Korean news agency Yonhap said they appeared to be a different type to previous launches.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-missile-tests-are-warning-to-south-korea-238647/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Colonel Lee Peters, a spokesman for US military forces in South Korea, said: "We are aware of reports of a missile launch from North Korea and we will continue to monitor the situation."

He did not comment when asked whether the joint South Korea-US drills, scheduled to begin next month, would continue.

Japan's defence ministry said no missiles had reached Japanese territory or its exclusive economic zone, and the launches did not threaten Japan's immediate security.

North Korea had test-fired two new short-range ballistic missiles on July 25, its first missile tests since leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks.

The White House, the Pentagon and the US State Department did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both played down last week's launches and Pompeo has continued to express hope for a diplomatic way forward with North Korea.

Since Trump and Kim's June 30 meeting in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas, Pyongyang has accused Washington of breaking a promise by planning to hold joint military exercises with South Korea next month and warned that these could derail any talks.

North Korea has also warned of a possible end to its freeze on nuclear and long-range missile tests that has been in place since 2017, which Trump has repeatedly upheld as evidence of the success of his engagement with Kim.

A top South Korean official said last month the drills would go ahead as planned but would mainly involve computer simulations and not troops in the field.

The February summit in Vietnam between Trump and Kim collapsed after the two sides failed to reconcile differences between Washington's demands for Pyongyang's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief.

Trump reiterated to reporters at the White House earlier on Tuesday that he had a good relationship with Kim, but added: "We'll see what happens. I can't tell you what's going to happen."

Pompeo said on Monday he hoped working-level talks to revive denuclearisation talks could occur "very soon."

On Tuesday, he told reporters travelling with him on a visit to Asia he did not know when this would happen but hoped US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and his new counterpart could meet "before too long".

Pompeo and North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho had been expected to meet on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian security forum in Bangkok this week but Ri cancelled his trip, a diplomatic source said told Reuters last week.

Pompeo said on Tuesday he did not anticipate that the North Koreans would be in Bangkok but, if they were, he would look forward to a chance to meet Ri.

"We’ll see if they are there and, if they are, I’m confident we will meet," he said.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, only days after it launched two other missiles intended to pressure South Korea and the United States to stop upcoming military drills.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, only days after it launched two other missiles intended to pressure South Korea and the United States to stop upcoming military drills. The latest launches were from the Hodo peninsula on North Korea's east coast, the same area from where last week's were conducted, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. It said it was monitoring in case of additional launches. The JCS in Seoul said later the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles). South Korean news agency Yonhap said they appeared to be a different type to previous launches. Watch Video: Colonel Lee Peters, a spokesman for US military forces in South Korea, said: "We are aware of reports of a missile launch from North Korea and we will continue to monitor the situation." He did not comment when asked whether the joint South Korea-US drills, scheduled to begin next month, would continue. Japan's defence ministry said no missiles had reached Japanese territory or its exclusive economic zone, and the launches did not threaten Japan's immediate security. North Korea had test-fired two new short-range ballistic missiles on July 25, its first missile tests since leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. The White House, the Pentagon and the US State Department did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both played down last week's launches and Pompeo has continued to express hope for a diplomatic way forward with North Korea. Since Trump and Kim's June 30 meeting in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas, Pyongyang has accused Washington of breaking a promise by planning to hold joint military exercises with South Korea next month and warned that these could derail any talks. North Korea has also warned of a possible end to its freeze on nuclear and long-range missile tests that has been in place since 2017, which Trump has repeatedly upheld as evidence of the success of his engagement with Kim. A top South Korean official said last month the drills would go ahead as planned but would mainly involve computer simulations and not troops in the field. The February summit in Vietnam between Trump and Kim collapsed after the two sides failed to reconcile differences between Washington's demands for Pyongyang's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief. Trump reiterated to reporters at the White House earlier on Tuesday that he had a good relationship with Kim, but added: "We'll see what happens. I can't tell you what's going to happen." Pompeo said on Monday he hoped working-level talks to revive denuclearisation talks could occur "very soon." On Tuesday, he told reporters travelling with him on a visit to Asia he did not know when this would happen but hoped US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and his new counterpart could meet "before too long". Pompeo and North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho had been expected to meet on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian security forum in Bangkok this week but Ri cancelled his trip, a diplomatic source said told Reuters last week. Pompeo said on Tuesday he did not anticipate that the North Koreans would be in Bangkok but, if they were, he would look forward to a chance to meet Ri. "We’ll see if they are there and, if they are, I’m confident we will meet," he said.

Ahead of South Korea, US military drill, North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles

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