Ifiye Posted July 10, 2018 President Donald Trump has suggested that China is to blame for what appears to be faltering talks between the United States and North Korea. On Monday, Trump said that China “may be” doing something to sabotage his deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as it became clear to the president that the US and North Korea were not on the same page when it came to denuclearization. Signs of trouble emerged shortly after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrapped up his two-day visit to Pyongyang on Saturday. While Pompeo called the trip “productive,” the North Korean side said the US’ attitude was “regrettable.” In a statement, the North Korean Foreign Ministry accused the US of making “gangster-like” demands to pressure the country into giving up its nuclear weapons. North Korea accused the US of making “gangster-like” demands after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit.Photo: Pool via Reuters The apparent conflict risks a return to open hostilities between the US and North Korea, and Trump’s suggestion that China might have meddled lays bare the delicate dynamics between the three countries. China publicly supports and has praised North Korea’s agreement to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. A neighbor and historical ally of North Korea, China doesn’t want instability and war next door, but is also said to be wary of being sidelined in a budding US-North Korea rapprochement. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, in April said his countries no longer needed to test nuclear and long-range missiles because it had achieved a nuclear deterrent. Photo: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP In June, after his historic meeting with Trump, Kim made his third visit to Beijing this year, making China Kim’s most visited country since he took power in 2011. During the trip, Kim and Chinese president Xi Jinping doubled down on their friendly relationship. Blaming China for the friction between US and North Korea isn’t new. Trump also did it in May, complaining about Kim’s attitude after he met with Xi Jinping, whom Trump called “a world class poker player.” Regardless of Trump’s accusation that China has hardened North Korea’s position, the disconnect between what the two countries meant when they talked about denuclearizing remains unresolved. President Trump said he developed a special bond with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their June 12 meeting in Singapore. Photo: AFP Some analysts are skeptical that Kim would give up nuclear weapons that they say are crucial to his regime’s survival, and some doubted Trump’s wisdom in ending US military exercises in South Korea. The apparent deterioration of talks doesn’t look good for South Korea, which had hoped for a rapprochement between North Korea and the US that would bring lasting peace to the region. In its vision, South Korea and its Northern neighbor would share not just cold noodles but also a future of economic integration. ALAN WONG Alan is editor at Inkstone. He was previously a digital editor for The New York Times in Hong Kong. CHINA A crackdown hasn’t cowed China’s most promi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
