SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Senator Mike Rounds is happy with what President Donald Trump was able to achieve in the summit with North Korea's dictator Kim Jong Un.
"You start out with small steps, "Rounds told The Greg Belfrage Show this morning." But if they're moving in the right direction, you're more liable to come up better in the long run."
Rounds says this small step may have saved the Koreas and the world nuclear or conventional war.
Also, Rounds, who sits on the armed services committee, does not think Trump gave up anything by canceling war games with Japan and South Korea.
Trump made the announcement after the North Korean summit.
"The President said, 'Yeah, I'll stop the war games,'" Rounds said. "It doesn't mean we're going to stop our training. But they were due to start again in August. If he delays them, that's fine."
Rounds says Trump can reinstate the joint exercises if necessary.
On other topics, just the talk of a trade war with China has hit South Dakota soybean farmers hard.
"From March 1st to last Friday, soybeans went down a $1.28 per bushel," Rounds said. "A significant amount of that was the talk of a trade war with China and China might put in tariffs."
The National Defense Authorization Act this year is named for ailing Senator and former P.O.W. John McCain.
Rounds think's it's only fitting.
"Sometimes you can agree with the Senator, sometimes you can disagree with him," Rounds chuckled. "But he's in it for the right reasons. This country is better because of his service."
Rounds says McCain has given years and years of service to the United States.
Hear more of Sen. Rounds' appearance with Greg Belfrage on our KELO.com podcast page.