Pointing to the quarter-century since the United States first confronted North Korea over its attempts to build nuclear weapons, he said a period of patience had followed.
Vice President Mike Pence made an unannounced visit to the DMZ (demilitarized zone) on Monday, where he stared down North Korean troops who were stationed several yards away.
Trump has taken issue with the United States' trade deficits with such countries as China and Japan, while maintaining that the US dollar has strengthened too much against some currencies.
Pence said he had spoken with Trump and by 2020 some 60 percent of the US naval fleet would be in the region and Japan's role will grow.
Pence's remarks also came with hope for a diplomatic path. Washington, he said, was looking for security "through peaceable means, through negotiations".
On Monday, Pence traveled to the tense Demilitarized Zone dividing North and South Korea, where he warned North Korea's leaders that after years of testing the US and South Korea with its nuclear ambitions, "the era of strategic patience is over".
The vice president earlier visited a military installation near the DMZ, Camp Bonifas, for a briefing with military leaders. Under rainfall, Pence later stood a few meters from the military demarcation line outside Freedom House, gazing at the North Korean soldiers across the border.
Abe, right, and Pence shake hands at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, on April 18, 2017. But he stressed: "Dialogue for dialogue's sake is meaningless".
While Defense Secretary Jim Mattis denounced North Korea's weapons test as he began a Mideast tour, Vice President Mike Pence offered support to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo amid a trip dominated by concerns about the rogue state's nuclear intentions.
Speaking to USA and Japanese troops on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier Wednesday, he called North Korea the most urgent and risky threat to the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region. "Nobody's ever seen such a positive response on our behalf from China", Trump said.
President Trump denied he's softened his position on China to gain its help in curbing North Korea's increasing military provocations.
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Pence told the ship's captain that he had spoken to President Donald Trump, and Trump "wishes he were here".
"We are with you 100 percent", he said, adding that the U.S.
Mr Trump has been pressuring China, North Korea's benefactor, to help defuse the situation, but has also warned that the U.S. will settle the issue alone if other countries will not help.
White House officials said the economic meetings in Tokyo, with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and other officials, are meant to forge a framework for future discussions after the USA withdrew from a Pacific Rim trade pact. Beijing says the system threatens its own security by allowing the U.S.to monitor flights and other activity in northeastern China.
The officials weren't authorized to speak publicly on the results of the policy review and requested anonymity.
Japan and the United States on Tuesday agreed to work together with countries in the region to address tensions on the Korean Peninsular and took steps towards bridging gaps in economic cooperation with the launch of the U.S. -Japan Economic Dialogue.
United States experts believe that China enjoys the adequate economic and political influence to prevent Pyongyang from developing a long-range missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland with a nuclear warhead.
Trump himself appeared to reinforce the stern US message at the White House, replying "Gotta behave" when a CNN reporter asked what message he had for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "Solve the problem in North Korea". I'm not like other administrations where they say, 'We're going to do this in four weeks.' It doesn't work that way. "They've all been outplayed by this gentleman and we'll see what happens". Trump tweeted on Sunday. It is preparing for an upcoming deployment, but the carrier isn't expected to depart for at least another month. Remember, an isolated North Korea depends on Chinese economic aid.
North Korea said in February that it had successfully tested a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile, the Pukguksong-2, propelled by a solid-fuel engine.
He said he has "great respect" for Xi and hopes the country can bring its political and economic influence to bear on North Korea.
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