Trump retreats from U.S. moral leadership stance

Donald J. Trump is completely out of his depth and is soiling what’s left of the reputation of the United States of America.

Lol moral leadership? Since when?

The only people who believe this ridiculous propaganda about American "moral leadership" are brainwashed Americans (on both sides of the political divide). American has a spotty record at best, and that's being generous. The USA has killed vastly more people around the world than any other person or group. The US has also consistently tampered with foreign elections and, when that fails, helped depose elected leaders. All with the dangerous conviction that they are the "good guys." Good intentions pave the road.... and countless less good intentions finish the job.

"Anyone can make war, but only the most courageous can make peace!"

Well said President Trump.

— almost his sole interest — was taking a first step toward denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. 

Sleep better at night my fellow gaijins. No missiles are flying over head anytime soon. The poor. The abused. The staved. The imprisoned and depraved will come in to the light in time.

“Progress is not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.” Khalil Gibran

To be fair, the US isn’t the only country with a long history of dealing with scumbags, sometimes even sponsoring them, for political and economic gain.

The ‘moral leadership’ postiuring is just air coming out of the wrong end.

"The USA has killed vastly more people around the world than any other person or group." This is not true.

For the truth, one should study history, You may start with Genghis Khan, and let's not forget modern day Joseph Stalin.

the role of american president is quite different from that of most other heads of state due to america's commitments and influence in so many aspects of geo-politics, international finance, promotion of democracy and leadership on environmental issues. if tRump didn't want any part of those roles, he never should ran for POTUS. he should've run for head of some dictatorship which is better suited to his willful ignorance and insatiable thirst for corruption.

Lots of potential business opportunities in DPRK.

Instead, we are here to offer partnership, based on shared interests and values.

But what are those values then, if they don't concern human rights and liberties? I suspect the values Trump are talking about are to be found in the financial department only...

Am afraid no current world leader is in a position to lecture Trump on this; they're all happy to accept Chinese, Saudi etc $$. Do Uighurs have it easier in China than Koreans in NK? Not sure about that.

"We are not here to lecture," he said then. "We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership, based on shared interests and values."

The first part is spot on & the second just brutally honest.

With low labor cost, perhaps it would be good for North Korea to open up to foreign manufactures for export overseas. In my opinion, this would be a big boost for their economy. Export competition for China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and others.

This is not correct. For Trump to retreat from moral leadership, he would have ever had to taken a position of moral leadership in the first place. The concept of morality is utterly alien to Trump's mind - remember, this is a man who thought a Boy Scout meeting was the appropriate venue to brag about his yacht sex parties.

The people who are retreating from moral leadership are the GOP who enable him. Remember this is the party of "family values" that supported a pedophile for Senate and now is building concentration camps for children who are literally being ripped from their mothers' breasts. The party that branded itself as the party of Jesus doesn't understand the concept of "love thy neighbor" and is literally stealing children in order to scare away the neighbor to the south and trying to start a trade war with the neighbor to the north because their PM is younger and more charismatic. The party that branded itself as the party of law and order desperately trying to stop an investigation into the crimes of the President. The GOP has run away from every value they ever claimed to hold.

The USA has killed vastly more people around the world than any other person or group. 

There are many countries that could step up to claim that prize. I suspect none of our own countries have a great historical record when it comes to killing those not like ourselves or who we don't like.

In some ways, human rights is one area where Trump is more up front than conventional politicians. While he may make stupid statements, he doesn't obfuscate in the way that most politicians tend to do. If we want North Korea to move forward, we won't get far if we constantly use its past behavior as an indicator for our support.

You may start with Genghis Khan, and let's not forget modern day Joseph Stalin.

LOL! So is this America's new standard? "At least we are better than Genghis Khan and Stalin!"