OSHKOSH – In an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) discussed the president’s intention to meet with North Korean leaders, and concerns with the Trump administration’s tariffs and their impact on Wisconsin.

Excerpts from Senator Johnson’s appearance are below and video can be found here.

North Korea

“Let's not be snookered again. Let's not be Charlie Brown to North Korea's Lucy. We've seen this movie before, that's why we've called on President Trump to make sure we maintain the maximum pressure campaign. If anything I would continue to ratchet up sanctions until they have complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization.”

“I think talking to people is never a bad idea as long as we maintain that pressure. … I'd rather talk to people to prevent any kind of miscalculation and let's face it, a miscalculation on the Korean Peninsula could be devastating.”

“I think the maximum pressure campaign is having its effect. We need to isolate North Korea. They say they're self-sufficient. Well, we're putting them in a position where they're going to have to prove self-sufficiency. And of course they're not (self sufficient).”

Tariffs

“In Wisconsin, I just traveled the last two days talking to all kinds of folks, confidence had really been building. … We made American businesses more competitive. We gave real tax cuts to Wisconsinites and Americans. There's really a growing level of optimism because we're returning certainty to the American and Wisconsin economy. The talk of canceling NAFTA and now imposing these steel tariffs has just interjected uncertainty in the economy where it wasn't necessary.  I’m really concerned that this is counterproductive.”

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