THE TOPLINE: President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE has said he is willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by May in an effort to see Pyongyang abandon its nuclear ambitions, South Korea's national security adviser said Thursday night.

Chung Eui-yong made the announcement during a news conference outside the White House after meeting with Trump administration officials. Chung said the North Korean leader has expressed his "eagerness to meet with President Trump as soon as possible."

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Trump "will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong Un at a place and time to be determined."

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"We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea," she said in a statement shortly after the South Korean announcement. "In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain."

No White House officials appeared alongside Chung on Thursday night and further details about Trump's plans were not immediately clear.

Chung led a South Korean delegation earlier in the week on a historic trip to Pyongyang. During the trip, the envoys became the first South Korean officials to meet with Kim since he took power in 2011.

On Tuesday, the South Korean envoys announced that Kim told them he is willing to begin negotiations with the United States on abandoning nuclear weapons and that he would suspend all nuclear and missile tests while engaged in talks.

The Trump administration and lawmakers greeted the offer cautiously, expressing both hope that talks can happen and skepticism at Kim's sincerity.

Trump had touted the announcement Thursday night to reporters at the White House before it was delivered by the South Korean official, characterizing it as "major."

"It's almost beyond that," Trump told ABC News's Jonathan Karl when asked if the announcement was about negotiations. "Hopefully, you will give me credit."

The Hill's Rebecca Kheel has the story. And check back at TheHill.com for updates.

EARLIER THURSDAY, SENATORS URGED TRUMP TO KEEP PRESSURE ON N. KOREA WHILE EXPLORING TALKS: Six Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees are urging President Trump to continue the so-called maximum pressure campaign against North Korea as the possibility of talks are explored.

"Mr. President, when it comes to the North Korean regime, we must verify before we trust," the senators wrote in a letter to Trump on Thursday. "While we must take any credible opportunity to talk with Pyongyang about denuclearization, we must also never forget that the DPRK continues to represent a grave threat to the United States, our allies and global peace and stability.

"We ask that you respond to Congress in a timely manner regarding the administration's strategy to engage the DPRK and your plan for a robust implementation of the maximum pressure campaign against this heinous regime."

The letter was signed by Republican Sens. Cory Gardner Cory Scott GardnerMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 MORE (Colo.), Jim Inhofe James (Jim) Mountain InhofeChamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Top admiral: 'No condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' MORE (Okla.), James Risch (Idaho), Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Florida senators pushing to keep Daylight Savings Time during pandemic Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll MORE (Fla.), Ron Johnson Ronald (Ron) Harold JohnsonGOP set to release controversial Biden report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill MORE (Wis.), and Todd Young Todd Christopher YoungSenate GOP eyes early exit Why the US should rely more on strategy, not sanctions Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (Ind.).

The Hill's Rebecca Kheel has the rest here.

NOBEL PRIZE?: GOP Rep. Luke Messer (R-Ind.) said Thursday that Trump "should be well on his way" to winning the Nobel Peace Prize if he is successful in prompting North Korea to disarm its nuclear capabilities.

"If North Korea talks lead to concrete action, President Trump should be well on his way to his own Nobel Peace Prize," Messer said in a statement. "North Korea is signaling for the first time a willingness to discuss disarming its nuclear capabilities. If this happens, it would be a direct result of President Trump's strong leadership and decisive action toward the brutal North Korean tyrant."

Read about that here.

GENERAL SAYS NO UNIFIED EFFORT AGAINST RUSSIAN CYBER THREAT: The head of U.S. European Command said Thursday that the U.S. government does not have an effective unified effort to confront cyber threats from Russia.

"I don't believe there's an effective unification across the interagency with the energy and the focus that we could attain," Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti told lawmakers during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

Scaparrotti, who is also the supreme allied commander of NATO, had been asked by the committee's top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed John (Jack) Francis ReedWhen 'Buy American' and common sense collide Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (R.I.) how he would assess the country's "whole-of-government response" to confront Russia's cyber threat.

The general also said that the Pentagon is trying to map out the scope of Russian cyber activity, but so far does not have a full picture of the activity.

"We're getting better understanding of it," he said. "I would not characterize it as a - as a good picture at this point, not satisfactory to me."

Read more on the hearing here.

GOP SENATORS SAY TRUMP TARIFFS COULD HARM NATIONAL SECURITY: President Trump's proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum could hurt U.S. national security, a group of GOP senators led by Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities Chairman Joni Ernst Joni Kay ErnstPoll shows tight Senate race in Iowa Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE (R-Iowa) wrote in a letter to the president.

Trump Thursday ordered tariffs on steel and aluminum imports using a legal provision that allows the imposition of import taxes on national security grounds.

The senators' letter, which cited the White House's own National Security Strategy and Defense secretary James Mattis James Norman MattisBiden courts veterans amid fallout from Trump military controversies Trump says he wanted to take out Syria's Assad but Mattis opposed it Gary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November MORE's National Defense Strategy, said the tariffs would strain alliances the US needs to maintain its national security.

"Our military and intelligence communities benefit from these alliances and partnerships, and in today's strategic environment it is of utmost importance that we continue to foster constructive relationships with international partners that share our nation's concerns and interests with emphasis on addressing the most critical challenges facing the U.S. and global steel industry," the letter said.

The Hill's Niv Elis has more here.

MORE ON THE TARIFFS: President Trump on Thursday officially announced steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, defying his own party and delivering on a campaign promise to fight what he sees as unfair practices by U.S. trading partners.

Trump signed paperwork enacting tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum during a hastily arranged event at the White House.

The president temporarily exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs, arguing his administration would continue talks with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners. Trump has separately discussed withdrawing the United States from NAFTA.

White House officials said that all other countries will be able to make their case as to why they should be exempt from the tariffs and what they will do to shore up their national security relationship with the United States.

More from The Hill's Jordan Fabian and Vicki Needham here.

US TROOPS IN NIGER, MALI, TO RECEIVE HOSTILE FIRE PAY: U.S. troops serving in Niger and Mali will receive extra pay for being in danger of hostile fire, a congressman said.

"I am very pleased that the military was able to provide a resolution for our service members, who clearly deserve Imminent Danger Pay when operating in hostile environments in the Sahel region of Africa," Rep. Joe Courtney Joseph (Joe) D. CourtneyConnecticut Republican drops out of congressional race on primary day after arrest Navy recommends reinstating Crozier as captain of USS Theodore Roosevelt: report Overnight Defense: Aircraft carrier captain removed from duty after pleading for help with outbreak | Trump to expand use of defense law to build ventilators | Hospital ships receiving few patients MORE (D-Conn.) said in a statement late Wednesday.

Later Thursday, the Pentagon released a memo confirming that troops in Niger, Mali and parts of northern Cameroon would receive the $225 per month bonus.

On Tuesday, Courtney questioned Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, head of U.S. Africa Command, on why troops serving in Niger and Mali do not receive the bonus when those serving in other African countries such as Algeria, Chad, Egypt and Kenya do.

The issue of Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) for troops serving on the ground in Niger was raised after four U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush there in October.

Read more here.

STATE ANNOUNCES $467M WEAPONS SALE TO QATAR, UAE: The State Department has approved a possible $270.4 million missile sale to the United Arab Emirates and a $197 million upgrade for Qatar's air operation center, even as Gulf countries continue to impose a blockade on Doha.

The proposed sale to the UAE Air Force includes 300 Sidewinder Block II missiles and associated parts and contractor support from Raytheon, according to a Thursday announcement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees foreign military sales.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," the DSCA notice states.

Qatar's possible sale, also announced Thursday and awarded to Raytheon, includes equipment and support to upgrade its Air Force's Air Operation Center.

The country houses Al Udeid Air Base, which holds 10,000 U.S. military personnel.

Congress must now approve both sales.

Read more here.

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