Pentagon chief backs Tillerson's North Korea diplomatic strategy after Trump tweet undermined it
Defence chief’s backing of Rex Tillerson follow a Donald Trump tweet that sparked fresh rumours of tensions between the president and his top diplomat
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis has tried to clear up doubts about the US administration’s North Korea strategy, backing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s effort to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear stand-off.
State Department officials insist Trump was not criticising Tillerson, but pressuring North to agree to discuss its disarmament while a diplomatic option remains on the table.
Mattis, in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, said the Pentagon stood behind the strategy – and singled out Tillerson for support.
“The international community ... is focused on the destabilising threat posed by North Korea and Kim Jong-un’s relentless pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities,” he said.
“The Defence Department supports fully Secretary Tillerson’s efforts to find a diplomatic solution but remains focused on defence of the United States and our allies.”