Beijing: U.S. President Donald Trump could potentially seek Chinese President Xi Jinping's advice on engaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their upcoming summit in Beijing, as revealed by a former senior U.S. diplomat. This development comes as Trump has consistently expressed a desire for continued dialogue with Pyongyang.
According to Yonhap News Agency, former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell shared these insights during a press meeting. The Trump-Xi meeting, scheduled for May 14 and 15, may include discussions on addressing North Korean issues and exploring the possibility of reigniting Trump's personal diplomacy with Kim during his visit to China. Campbell indicated that one of the likely topics for discussion would be Trump's request for Xi's suggestions on engaging with Kim Jong-un.
Campbell highlighted the potential value of Xi's input in facilitating the resumption of diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea. However, he expressed skepticism about Pyongyang's interest in dialogue with Washington, citing North Korea's shifting diplomatic and military alliances since Trump's last meeting with Kim in June 2019 at Panmunjom.
Campbell noted that Kim Jong-un has strengthened ties with Russia and China, become more involved in the conflict in Ukraine, and intensified nuclear and missile developments. This context raises doubts about North Korea's willingness to engage in diplomacy with the U.S. as it had in the past. Nonetheless, Campbell acknowledged the unpredictability of the North Korean regime, leaving open the possibility of future engagement with Washington.
Despite these challenges, Campbell observed Trump's persistent efforts to reach out to Pyongyang, suggesting that Trump's personal diplomacy with Kim could resume if favorable conditions arise. The North Korean response typically demands U.S. recognition of North Korea as a nuclear power, a condition Trump and his advisors currently seem unwilling to accept given other pressing priorities.
A White House official informed Yonhap News Agency that a meeting between Trump and Kim is not on the agenda for Trump's upcoming trip to Asia. During his first term, Trump held three in-person meetings with Kim: in Singapore in June 2018, in Hanoi in February 2019, and at Panmunjom.