[Hill:] President Trump appreciates North Korea's decision to leave its long-range missiles out of the country's 70th anniversary parade. The president tweeting, "Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will both prove everyone wrong. There's nothing like good dialogue from two people who like each other." He states experts say Pyongyang left the missiles out as a sign of its commitment to denuclearize. Important to point out here that there's been no proof that is happening. Joining me for a closer look is Gordon Chang, columnist for the "Daily Beast" and also author of "North Korea Takes on the World." Gordon, I'm guessing you're not really buying the president's declaration here.
[Gordon Chang, Columnist, Daily Beast:] No. First of all, the North Koreans are continuing to produce fissile material for nuclear weapons. They're continuing to work on their ballistic missiles. And this is happening in the background of they're trying to stall us. Up until the end of May or so, we had a maximum pressure campaign to cut off money to Kim Jong-Un. That's the reason he became much more cooperative. Since then, we allowed Chinese sanctions busting, we allowed the Russians to do it, the South Koreans are getting in on the act. Kim is getting everything he wants so, of course, he's going to be nice because he's going to make sure we don't use American power to take away his weapons.
[Hill:] So he's trying to keep President Trump happy. It was interesting, too, a Chinese official who was reportedly at the parade telling Chinese state TV, "The Chinese highly value North Kora's efforts to denuclearize." Which, again, is interesting in a statement because, as you point out, we don't know that's happening at all. In fact, perhaps the opposite.
[Chang:] Certainly, the opposite. And the Chinese have been supplying some crucial equipment for North Korea's ballistic missile program recently. They're supporting the economy, busting the sanctions. We're seeing this with the coal purchases from North Korea, ship to ship transfers. Chinese money is being North Korean money is laundered through Chinese banks. This is not a good story. We're just watching this and we're not imposing any costs on Beijing. And of course, the North Koreans aren't going to be cooperative because we're not doing anything.
[Hill:] You pointed out to me in the break that this isn't just about placating President Trump and making him feel good about where we are. A lot of what happened or was not shown at this parade is also a message that it's aimed at South Korea.
[Chang:] Certainly. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is going to Pyongyang September 18th for two days of talks. Moon is very pro North Koreans. He wants to unify the peninsula, which means he's undermining his own democracy to make South Korea more compatible with North Korea. Also, Moon wants to shovel a lot of money into the hands of Kim Jong-Un. He wants to open up this liaison office in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which is in North Korea, which shovels a lot of money into North Korea when it's open. So Kim has a real important ally. Not just Xi Jinping, not just Vladimir Putin. He has a real important ally in South Korea.
[Hill:] Is the president getting played here, President Trump?
[Chang:] He probably is getting played. The alternative argument is what he said in Ottawa at the G-7 just before the summit with Kim Jong-Un. He said, I'm giving the North Koreans a one-shot opportunity to do the right thing. He's given the North Koreans maybe a two-shot opportunity, a three-shot opportunity. And I wouldn't have given them any opportunity at all. But nonetheless, this is the president's plan. It's not a bad one. He's really trying to cooperate and try to create this good atmosphere where the North Koreans can feel comfortable giving up their weapons. But I think that's the wrong strategy.
[Hill:] How long do those chances last? I mean, when do you finally put up your hands and say, wait a minute, this could get a little dangerous?
[Chang:] It's getting very dangerous because the situation is getting beyond control. A lot of people speculate the president will pivot to a more resolute policy after the midterms. I don't know. But nonetheless, we have to do it at some point. Because the North Koreans are just proving that the fundamental assumptions we make about the North Koreans have been wrong.
[Hill:] Gordon Chang, always appreciate it. Thank you.
[Chang:] Thanks, Erica.
[Hill:] And 20 Republican-led states are taking the Affordable Care Act back to court. Is it unconstitutional as they allege? Up next, we'll speak with Louisiana's attorney general, Jeff Landry, who is part of that challenge.