One of Washington’s greatest policy failures is North Korea. Apparently, Pyongyang’s most recent provocation was hacking Sony Pictures in retaliation for the movie ‘The Interview.’ More fundamentally, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remains determined to create a sizeable nuclear arsenal.

Successive administrations have sought China’s aid to restrain the DPRK, but have failed to listen to Beijing while lobbying Chinese officials for their support. If Washington hopes to win support from the People’s Republic of China, American policymakers must respond to the PRC’s concerns.

Understandably distrustful of Pyongyang, the United States has insisted upon de-nuclearization before delivering substantial aid to the North. However, when approached by Washington for assistance, China has responded by blaming America for creating a sense of insecurity which encouraged the DPRK to develop nuclear weapons. 

In 2013, Wang Jiaru, head of the Chinese Communist Party’s International Department, met with several China specialists in Beijing. I asked him about North Korea. He criticized the United States and South Korea for contributing to increased tensions through such policies as regular military exercises. He contended that while “the United States believes talks should start after the North abandons nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons should be abandoned through talks.” He explained, “If the United States does not act, it cannot rely on China to solve the problem.” 

In Beijing’s view, the DPRK will not yield its nukes so long as it feels insecure. Of course, Pyongyang might not do so in any case. But it almost certainly is true that the Kim regime will not give up what looks like the ultimate security guarantee if it believes its future is at risk. 

As I point out on China-US Focus, “the North has no reason to take U.S. promises on faith. Just as Washington has good reason to disbelieve North Korea’s commitments, so the DPRK has fair cause to distrust America. Just ask Moammar Kaddafi, who made a deal sacrificing his nukes and missiles in return for engagement, only to be ousted by the Western powers at their first opportunity.”

Moreover, Pyongyang currently has nothing positive to lose from disruptive behavior. The administration recently tightened sanctions again. But in practice not much is going to change, especially since the PRC continues to moderate punitive U.S. actions.

Washington and its allies should consider an alternative approach. Together, they could develop a comprehensive proposal for a grand bargain. In exchange for the DPRK’s denuclearization and withdrawal of advanced conventional forces from near the DMZ, the allies could provide diplomatic recognition, end economic penalties, and eschew attempts at regime change.

The United States, South Korea, and Japan then should present the package to Beijing for its suggestions and, more importantly, support. Pyongyang would lose its excuse for not responding positively. In return for taking the PRC’s advice, the three allies could request that Beijing back allied efforts, including with the threat of cutbacks in aid, trade, and investment.

Only such a strategy of U.S. engagement seems likely to galvanize Beijing to action. The PRC worries about regional instability and fears a united Korea allied with America and U.S. troops along the Yalu. As long as Washington appears to be engaged in a campaign of containment, China has no reason to do the United States any favors. This reluctance and fear is bound to continue if the Chinese believe, as some have suggested, that Washington is using North Korea’s program as an excuse to expand U.S. military involvement to ultimately threaten the PRC.

Indeed, Washington should consider a grand bargain to China as part of a broader process of re-learning the art of diplomacy. America’s military-first policy is not working out very well anywhere, and especially against the PRC.

Washington’s frustrations with North Korea are obvious and understandable. Nothing seems to work, and the administration’s latest sanctions are unlikely to have a different result. At this stage, Washington has little to lose from taking China’s advice on how to address Pyongyang. It is time for both the United States and PRC to act.